FANCY having a say in how much our councillors are paid?

Somerset County Council is advertising for five volunteers to join an independent panel that sets allowances paid to its elected members.

The successful applicants will be part of the Independent Remuneration Panel, a legally required body that makes recommendations to the council about the different financial allowances councillors can receive.

The posts will involve researching the amounts other authorities make available to their elected members and working towards producing the scheme of allowances for the new Somerset Council when it comes into being next April, replacing the current county and four district councils in Somerset.

There are five places and applications are being accepted throughout December.

Cllr Bill Revans, leader of Somerset County Council, said: “It is imperative that the matter of allowances is a well-informed, justified and independent process, so that remuneration is fair and our communities are happy with the way it is decided.

"If you have the time and an interest in such a process, we would love to hear from you.”

All panel members must be independent of the council.

Find out more and apply by visiting Independent Person for Remuneration Panel HERE.