Issue - meetings

Report of the Chief Executive attached.

Members received the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel which had considered Members’ Allowances. It was explained that following a comparison with similar authorities, HBBC councillors received comparatively low allowances, that Members had been rejecting recommended increases since 2005 and also that the Deputy Mayor did not receive adequate financial recompense in line with the requirements of the role.

It was suggested that, if the allowances were higher, more young people may stand for election. The difficulty of undertaking council duties whilst in full time employment was highlighted.

During discussion, reference was made to the pay freezes in the private sector, no or low pay increases in the public sector, along with redundancies and other budget cuts, the economic climate nationally and the increasing financial hardships predicted due to the welfare reforms.

The enormous time and financial commitment of the roles of Mayor and Deputy Mayor were acknowledged and it was generally felt that they should receive the recommended increase in allowances. However, with regard to an increase in the basic allowance and special responsibility allowances, members felt that, whilst they supported the findings in the report and agreed that an increase in the allowances was justified, they would not be happy to accept an increase at this time. It was suggested that this position be recommended to the Council, that the findings of the Panel and the council decision be widely publicised and that the position be re-considered if staff received a pay increase in future. It was therefore

RESOLVED –

(i)         the findings within the report of the Independent Remuneration Panel be supported;

(ii)        COUNCIL be RECOMMENDED to

(a)        acknowledge and support the findings of the Independent Remuneration Panel;

(b)        publicise the contents of the report;

(c)        approve an increase in allowances for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor in accordance with the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel;

(d)        reject an increase in the basic and special responsibility allowances for all other positions.