A ROW has broken out over plans by Powys County Council to boost the pay of its lowest earners. The authority has agreed to boost the pay of more than 1,000 employees who currently earn less than the 'Living Wage' of £7.65 an hour from April next year by paying a supplement to bring them up to the threshold. However the council has decided against joining the Living Wage Foundation framework which would commit the authority to automatically paying increases in the nationally calculated rate. Labour councillor Matthew Dorrance welcomed the decision which will see the pay of many council cleaners and catering staff increased but Conservative councillor Chris Davies claimed the authority, which must save £15 million next year, is unable to afford the £400,000 costs. For the full story get this week's Brecon & Radnor Express - on sale now