Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – RESOURCES

To agree the Scale of Fees for electoral events held during 2021/22.

NB: The meeting resumed at 9.25pm

The Committee, member and Scrutiny Manager undertook a roll call to ensure that all could hear and be heard.

The Democratic Services Manager recused herself from being present during the item due to her responsibilities as Returning Officer.

RESOLVED: That the Scale of Fees for 2021/22 as set out in Appendix A be agreed.

REASON FOR DECISION: To enable the Council to remunerate the Returning Officer and the staff employed to carry out tasks during electoral events and to be open and transparent regarding other payments. Previously this was dealt with under Delegated Decision prepared by the Democratic Services Manager for the then Returning Officer (the Chief Executive). Following the Council decision to appoint the Democratic Services Manager as the Returning Officer, this is no longer appropriate.

Audio recording – 1 hour 55 minutes 37 seconds

NB: The meeting resumed at 9.25pm

The Committee, Member and Scrutiny Manager undertook a roll call to ensure that all could hear and be heard.

The Democratic Services Manager recused herself from being present during the item due to her responsibilities as Returning Officer and was placed in a breakout room for the duration of the item.

The Service Director- Resources presented the report entitled Electoral Services – Scale of Fees 2021/22 together with the following appendix:

·                Appendix A - Electoral Services Scale of Fees 2021/2022.

He advised that:

·                The fees for the Returning Officer remain unchanged from last year;

·                The fees for other positions had been compared to the rates paid by other Councils;

·                It was proposed that these be set at a level where we can attract people to take on the roles;

·                Some fees had been simplified.

Councillor Martin Stears-Handscomb proposed, Councillor Paul Clark seconded and it was:

RESOLVED: That the Scale of Fees for 2021/22 as set out in Appendix A be agreed.

REASON FOR DECISION: To enable the Council to remunerate the Returning Officer and the staff employed to carry out tasks during electoral events and to be open and transparent regarding other payments. Previously this was dealt with under Delegated Decision prepared by the Democratic Services Manager for the then Returning Officer (the Chief Executive). Following the Council decision to appoint the Democratic Services Manager as the Returning Officer, this is no longer appropriate.

The Democratic Services Manager returned to the meeting.