Issue - decisions

The recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel on members’ allowances was presented to Council.

Councillor Hall proposed an alternative scheme as set out in the supplementary agenda which supported adoption of some of the panel’s recommendations but amended others. The key changes were highlighted as:

·         The scheme would cover 2018/19 and 2019/20 but not 2020/21

·         The Leader’s allowance would be increased above that recommended by the panel, but the Leader would not be entitled to a second SRA (the same would apply to the Deputy Leader in relation to a second SRA)

·         The allowance for the chairman of the Appeals Panel and Ethical Governance & Personnel Committee would not be increased to reflect the lack of frequency of the meetings

·         The allowance for the chairman of the Licensing and Licensing (Regulatory) Committee would be decreased to reflect the lack of frequency of the meetings

·         The allowance for the chairman of the Planning Committee would be increased above that recommended by the panel to reflect the frequency of the meetings, the number of associated meetings and the amount of preparatory work required

·         The entitlement to 1.5 SRAs for any member (with the exception of the Leader and Deputy Leader) instead of the one SRA recommended by the panel

·         The reduction of 0.5 of an Executive member’s SRA for a Leader / Deputy Leader not taking on a portfolio

·         A recommendation to the Member Development Group to consider recommending to the panel the adoption of attendance allowances for some meetings that meet regularly such as licensing hearings and planning committee site visits and to consider incentives for paperless working

·         The panel be requested to meeting in July 2018 to consider any recommendations of the member development group for implementation in 2019 and four-yearly thereafter with any changes to the scheme of allowances arising from the panel being considered for implementation for the new Council (to remove the discomfort felt by members in considering their own allowances)

·         Annual increases in line with officer pay awards in between recommendations from the panel.

Some members felt that any review of allowances should be deferred until a settlement for staff pay had been agreed and that the percentage increase that was recommended was unfair compared to that offered to staff. However other members noted the difficulty in attracting councillors, the amount of time spent on council work which was barely financially recognised at present and the lack of increases between 2005 and 2015.

Councillor Sutton seconded the motion proposed.

Councillor Cartwright and four other councillors requested that voting on this motion be recorded. The vote was taken as follows:

Councillors Allen, Bessant, Boothby, Camamile, Cook, Hall, Kirby, Ladkin, Morrell, Nickerson, Roberts, Surtees, Sutton, Wallace and Ward voted FOR the motion (15);

Councillors Bill, Bray, Cartwright, Crooks, Hodgkins, Hollick, Lay, Nichols, Taylor and Williams voted AGAINST the motion (10);

Councillor O’Shea abstained from voting.

The motion was therefore declared CARRIED and it was

RESOLVED –

(i)            the scheme of members’ allowances be amended as follows:

(a)  The following allowances be implemented for the ensuing two years:

(b)  Paragraph 5 of the scheme of members’ allowances be amended to specify that the basic allowance also covers the use of members’ own telephone (including mobile), IT, printer, paper and consumables;

(c)  Paragraph 6.3 of the scheme be amended to read “other than the Leader and Deputy Leader, one special responsibility allowance (SRA) will be paid to a member in full with any second SRA paid at 50% (with the highest being paid in full)”;

(d)  It be specified within the scheme that the Leader and Deputy Leader’s SRA includes holding an executive portfolio in addition to the responsibility of Leader / Deputy Leader. Where the Leader / Deputy Leader does not hold an executive portfolio, the allowance will be reduced by 50% of an Executive member’s SRA;

(e)  It be specified in the scheme that, should the number of members of the Executive increase, the overall allowance for Executive members will remain the same (at six members) and be split equally;

(f)   An allowance of 5p per mile be provided for carrying a passenger;

(g)  Paragraph 8.2 of the scheme be amended to require prior agreement for taxi journeys wherever possible and that, where possible, taxis should be used only to link members with the nearest convenient public transport;

(h)  Paragraph 8.4 of the scheme be amended to refer to payment of mileage and expenses to the Mayor and Deputy Mayor whilst on civic duties as specified in the guidance for mayoral expenditure;

(ii)           The scheme shall have effect from 15 May 2018;

(iii)          The Member Development Group be asked to consider adopting a two-tier scheme of allowances linked to development and to consider introducing attendance allowances for attendance at those meetings that require a greater time commitment, for example members who engage in pre-planning meetings, planning committee site visits, licensing hearings and appeals panels;

(iv)         The Independent Remuneration Panel be requested to meet in July 2019 to consider any recommendations of the Member Development Group for implementation in 2019 and four yearly thereafter (unless requested by Council to meet at any point in the intervening period), with increases in line with officer pay awards in May of each intervening year.

The Scrutiny Commission gave consideration to the report of the Independent Panel on members’ allowances.

RESOLVED – the report be noted.