The move delivers on a key election pledge made by the new administration, which seized control of the council recently.
At a meeting of the Full Council, members voted to remove the Attendance Allowance (£30 per meeting), the Mayoral Allowance (£1,500 per annum), and the Deputy Mayoral Allowance (£500 per annum).
These payments were introduced in 2022 under the previous Labour administration, then led by Councillor David Darkin.
The new administration states that unlike County Councillors, who receive salaries due to the scale and statutory responsibilities of their roles, serving as a Town Councillor has always been a voluntary position.
This long-standing principle has defined Llanelli Town Council and its operations for decades, according to the new leadership.
The Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales did not mandate these payments, simply giving councils the discretion to introduce payments of up to £30 per meeting if they wished.
Independent Council Leader Cllr Sean Rees, who also confirmed he would not be accepting the Leader’s Allowance, hailed the decision.
“We have been consistent on this issue,” Cllr Rees said. “For decades, the role of a Councillor at Llanelli Town Council has been recognised and respected as a voluntary public service position.”
He added: “We said that we would remove these expenses and we have now delivered this in our first meeting as a new Administration.”
Deputy Council Leader Cllr Michael Cranham stated that town councillors’ attendance and additional role-based expenses are “unnecessary, counterproductive and are an unjustifiable cost to the taxpayer.”
“At a time when households continue to face sustained financial pressure, this £15,000 annual saving represents a meaningful commitment to respecting every pound of public money and restoring trust in local government,” Cllr Cranham added.
The following Councillors voted in favour of removing the expenses: Cllr Sean Rees, Cllr Michael Cranham, Cllr Steve Williams, Cllr Louvain Roberts, Cllr Andrew Bragoli, Cllr Sarah Evans, Cllr Terry Davies, Cllr Lillith Fenris, Cllr John Jones, Cllr Amanda Carter, and Cllr Alan Cameron Williams.
Labour Town Councillors who were present at the meeting abstained from the vote, a move that is likely to fuel further political debate in the town.
The Council has confirmed that these payments will now cease with immediate effect, marking a significant shift in how Llanelli Town Council operates.
The new administration also stated it remains committed to supporting future councillors of all backgrounds through targeted discretionary support, which it claims does not drain the budget like the previous expenses system.
Discover more from Swansea Bay News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
