Issue - meetings

This report incorporates the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) on their review of the Members’ Scheme of Allowances for 2020/21.

The report was deferred for consideration from the meeting of Council in June 2020 by the Chairman of Council due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Following the change of political administration a further review was commissioned and undertaken by the same IRP to consider the role of the Lead Members. This forms part of a supplementary report.

The full year impact of implementing the IRP recommendations is £141,900.

The Council considered a report on the Members’ Allowances Scheme 2020, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'B' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The report incorporated the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) on their review of the Members’ Scheme of Allowances for 2020/21. The report was deferred for consideration from the meeting of Council in June 2020 by the Chairman of Council due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Following the change of political administration, a further review was commissioned and undertaken by the same IRP to consider the role of the Lead Members.

The Chief Executive advised members that in preparing the report the figures did not take account of the national pay award of 2.75%.  He reported that these allowances would be uplifted effective from 1 April 2020 and payment would be made to Councillors in December.

John Quinton, Chairman of the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) presented the Panel’s report.  He explained that it has been acknowledged that post the election in May 2019 a further review would be necessary as the governance structure developed and this had been undertaken in December 2019.  Mr Quinton reported on the method of consultation, the outcome of the review which suggested that there had been an increase in workload and that the basic allowance may be on the low side, and the recommendations from the IRP indicated that the basic allowance be increased.   Councillors were referred to paragraph 13.1 c of the report which referred to school admission appeals and with the consent of the Council asked to delete this reference in the Scheme of Members Allowances. Mr Quinton referred to appendix 2 and the proposals for the appointment of 6 Lead Members following the request from the Leader of the Council.  He outlined the consultation which included Group Leaders and reported on the key findings which were set out in paragraph 5 of the report.  Councillors were informed that the Panel had some concerns about the reporting arrangements, accountability and how success would be measured for the Lead Members and for that reason recommended an allowance of £5,000.  The Chairman thanked John Quinton for his report and asked him to pass on his thanks to the Panel.

The Leader of the Council shared the following revised proposal with the Council and based on the principles proposed a revised set of recommendations:-

1.     No increase in the Basic Allowance for 21/22 (IRP £1k or any further inflationary pay award)

2.      Linking any future increases to the Local Government National Pay Award but not starting before 22/23

3.      The Leader foregoing the additional Leader SRA in full for the length of this term

4.      The ten Cabinet members having a reduction of £2,000 each

5.      The introduction of an additional SRA for Lead Members of £10,000

6.      An increase in the SRA for the Chairman of Licensing Committee to be on par with the Chairman of Planning Committee.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56