Issue - items at meetings - Review of Members' Allowances Scheme

REPORT OF THE DEMOCRATIC SERVICES MANAGER

To agree the Member’s Allowances Scheme 2020/2021 having taken into account the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel (‘IRP’).

RESOLVED:

(1) That the report and findings of the IRP, as attached as Appendix A to the submitted report be accepted with the exception of Paragraphs 2.7 and 2.8 and the figures in the table at Paragraph 3.2 to read:

Leader of the Council BA x 2.8 £14,280

Deputy Leader of the Council BA x 0.5 £2,550

Leader of each Opposition Group BA x 0.5 £2,550

(2) That, subject to the following amendments to Section 4 – Special Responsibility Allowances, the Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2020.21 as set out in appendix B of the submitted report be agreed:

Leader of the Council £14,280

Deputy Leader of the Council £2,550

Leader of each Opposition Group £2,550

That the final paragraph of Section 4 be deleted.

REASON FOR DECISIONS: To ensure that the Council meets its statutory requirements of an annual review and adoption of the scheme.

Audio recording – Session 1- 43 minutes 35 seconds

The Democratic Services Manager presented the report entitled Review of Members’ Allowances Scheme together with the following appendices:

· Appendix A - Report of IRP Panel for 2020/21 Members’ Allowances;

· Addendum - Appendix A - Independent Remuneration Panel Report;

· Appendix B - Proposed Members’ Allowances Scheme 2020/2021 with tracked changes (2019/2020 with proposed Scheme highlighted).

Councillor Martin Stears-Handscomb proposed and Councillor Kay Tart seconded the the recommendations.

Councillor Martin Stears-Handscomb proposed and Councillor Kay Tart seconded the following amendments:

Recommendation 2.1

Add at end “and accepts its findings with the exception of paragraphs 2.7 and 2.8, amending the figures in the table under 3.2 to read:

· Leader of the Council BA x 2.8 £14,280

· Deputy Leader of the Council BA x 0.5 £2,550

· Leader of each opposition Group BA x 0.5 £2,550”

Recommendation 2.2

Add at end “with the exception that in item 4, the above figures be applied to the Special Responsibility Allowances of the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council” and that the final paragraph in item 4 be deleted.

The following Members asked questions and took part in the debate:

· Councillor Richard Thake;

· Councillor David Levett;

· Councillor Judi Billing;

· Councillor Claire Strong;

· Councillor Martin Stears-Handscomb.

In response to questions the Service Director – Legal and Community advised:

· That, although Members did not have an official exemption for this item, legislation stated that full Council had to approve the Allowances Scheme.

Members asked that, at the next review, the Independent Remuneration Panel be asked to consider more closely the allowances paid to:

· Chairman of Area Committees;

· Leader of Opposition Groups.