Agenda item

To consider the report and recommendations of the Independent Remunerations Panel. (Attached)

The Local Government Act 2000 required all local authorities to appoint an Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP), to advise on the terms and conditions of the Scheme of Councillors’ Allowances.

Members’ allowances had been reviewed in 2012.  At that point, allowances had been frozen for a period of one year, then indexed to Consumer Price Index for 4 years, that period finishing at the end of the 2016/17 municipal year.  A review was therefore now required.

The Chief Executive, under delegated authority, had appointed the following members of the IRP, following consultation with party group leaders:

¨           Lucy Brown – Chief Executive, Disability Initiative

¨           Ian Hylan – Executive Principle, Tomlinscote School and 6^th Form College

¨           Robin Lennie – MD, Stihl

¨           Paul Marcus – MD, Eagle Radio Ltd

¨           Mark Selby – EM3 LEP Growth Hub

The IRP had met on 6 February 2017 and had reviewed the Council’s Members’ Allowance Scheme.  Members received the report of the IRP and were advised of its recommendations.   The Chief Executive, on behalf of the Council, thanked the members of the IRP for their work on reviewing Members’ Allowances.

Resolved that

(i)          the basic allowance for Members, currently £4,990,  be increased annually by 1% in May 2017 and May 2018;

(ii)        a new Special Responsibility Allowance be established for the Deputy Leader, to commence at £8,600 on 17 May 2017 and to increase by 1% in May 2018 in line with other allowances;

(iii)      a Special Responsibility Allowances for the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Audit and Standards Committee be commensurate with those of the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of Scrutiny/Select Committees; and

(iv)      Special Responsibility Allowances, currently as set out below (with exception of the arrangements for Deputy Leader proposed at (ii), above), be retained and be increased by 1% per annum in May 2017 and May 2018:

(v)            subsistence allowances match those received by Borough Council Officers; and

(vi)          car mileage payments be at themaximum rate per mile that can be paid tax-free as defined by HM Revenue and Customs or the rate for Officers, whichever is the lower.

(vii)        subject to the proof of payment being submitted with all claims, child and dependant carer’s allowances be paid as follows:

          Childcare – Up to £7.00 per hour

          Carers of Dependents – up to £17.50 per hour

(viii)       in the event that a decision on allowances cannot be made before the start of the 2019/20 municipal year, allowances payable to Borough Councillors be backdated to 17 May 2019.