Issue - meetings

To submit the Independent Remuneration Panel’s recommendations for allowances for 2023 – 2027 (report of the Chairman of the Independent Remuneration Panel, and the Democratic Services Manager enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Independent Remuneration Panel which submitted the Independent Remuneration Panel’s recommendations for allowances for 2023-2027.

The report was introduced by the Monitoring Officer and the Chair of the Independent Remuneration Panel, Nikki Marzec, who clarified corrections to two of the recommendations:

·       Recommendation I – this should refer to the Deputy Leader of the Opposition.

·       Recommendation N – this should refer to a payment of £650, not £550.

The following issues were raised:

• Members raised concern that an increase in allowances was not appropriate in the current financial climate and had put together an alternative proposal which had been sent to all members via email during the meeting.
• Members thanked the Independent Remuneration Panel for their work and the report presented.
• Members queried why Councillors were allowed to receive two special responsibility allowances and the need for two deputy leaders.
• Members felt that further awareness should be raised of the work that Councillors did.
• Members stated that Members could opt-out of receiving their allowance or receiving an increase if they wished to.

DECISION:

That the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel as set out in Appendix A to the report and to include the associated financial implications in the 2024/25 budget be approved as follows:

a.     That the Basic Allowance be increased in line with the annual local government pay award percentage increase as agreed by the National Joint Council for local government services, effective from 1 April 2024.

b.     That the Leader’s allowance be increased in line with the annual local government pay award percentage increase as agreed by the National Joint Council for local government services, effective from 1 April 2024.

c.     That one single allowance of £15,500 p/a be made to Deputy Leaders which would encompass both Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder responsibilities, effective from 1 April 2024.

d.     That the allowance for Portfolio Holders increase to £7,500 p/a, with effect from 1 April 2024.

e.     That the Chairmen of Licensing, Scrutiny and Governance & Audit Committee allowance increase to £5,000 p/a, with Vice-Chairman to receive 50% of Chairman allowance at a rate of £2,500 p/a, effective from 1 April 2024.

f.      That the Chairman of the Planning Committee allowance increase to £6,000 p/a, and the Vice-Chairman to receive 50% of allowance at a rate of £3,000 p/a, effective from 1 April 2024.

g.     That the Chairman of the Council allowance increase to £4,500 p/a with the Vice-Chairman to receive 50% of Chairman allowance at a rate of £2,250 p/a, effective from 1 April 2024.

h.     That the Leader of the main Opposition Group allowance increase to £6,000 p/a, effective from 1 April 2024.

i.       That a new SRA for the Deputy Leader of the Opposition be introduced at a rate of £1,000 p/a, effective from 1 April 2024.

j.       That the Political Group Leader payment allowance be increased to £500 p/a, effective from 1 April 2024.

k.     That all SRA’s be increased in line with the annual local government pay  ...  view the full minutes text for item 96