Highland Councillors Accept £490,00 pay increase - 22% Rise taking total to £2.3million

28th March 2025

Highland Council have agreed to boost senior councillor pay by between £5-11k this year.

The move adds almost £500k to the councillor wage bill, bringing it to a new total of £2.3 million.

The decision comes as the Scottish government agreed that councillors pay was to be raised if they agreed. The councillors have agreed the pay rise.

The council leader and council convenor have secured a 22% pay rise.

This will see their salary increase by £10,981 for Councillor Raymond Bremner and £8,234 a year for Councillor Bill Lobban.

the council leader's salary will increase from £49,810 to £60,791, and regular councillors will see their pay rise from £21,345 to £25,982

Other senior council positions, including opposition leader and leader of the Inverness committee will increase by between £5,095 and £7,108.

The slightly smaller 21.7% increase is the same rise as was seen for regular councillors that was previously set by the Scottish Government.

£490,000 rise brings the overall councillor wage bill to £2.3 million

Highland Council are allowed a leader, convenor and up to 19 additional senior council positions.