Environment Minister Mark H Durkan.
Councillors elected to the new Derry-Strabane “super council” are set to get an increase of almost £4,500 in the basic allowance paid to those serving on the current local authorities.
Elected representatives on all the new 11 councils to be created next year in a shake-up local government in the North will receive an annual allowance £14,200.
At present, councillors serving on the 26 local authorities receive £9,835 a year.
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan said the increase would “fairly compensate councillors” for increased roles and responsibilities.
Mr Durkan told MLAs at Stormont he had “finalised the remuneration and a scheme of allowances for councillors being elected in May”.
In a written statement, he said councillors faced “significant changes” as a result of the introduction of the new super councils, which included having to represent a larger electorate.
He added travel and subsistence allowances would stay the same and decisions on special responsibility allowance payments for positions of responsibility, such as chairs and mayors, would remain at the discretion of the councils.
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