Independent Remuneration Panel
Minutes:
63.1 The Corporate Manager, Governance and Civic Office introduced the report, which presented the findings of the review of the scheme of allowances by an Independent Remuneration Panel.
63.2 The Chair moved the recommendations in the report. Councillor Ekpenyong seconded the motion.
63.4 Councillor Morley tabled an amendment to the recommendations following a review of the report by the Joint Babergh and Mid Suffolk Cross Party Member Working Group. Councillor Morley summarised the amendments contained in Appendix F of the report and moved the revised recommendations.
63.5 Councillor Mellen seconded the revised recommendation.
63.6 Councillor Caston and Councillor Ekpenyong accepted the amendments to the recommendations.
63.7 By a show of hands, it was RESOLVED that the amended motion became the substantive motion.
63.8 Members debated items within the report including: the lack of an increase in the passenger allowance, the issue of not following the advice of the Independent Renumeration Panel, and the number of Special Responsibility Allowances (SRA’s) in relation to the number of Councillors. The Corporate Manager, Governance and Civic Office responded to a question regarding remuneration of Directors and advised that this had been considered by the Panel. However, it was considered that should the Directors be remunerated they would be deemed to have a conflict of interest and would therefore not be able to take part in the debate and vote relating to the Councils Companies as they would have a disclosable pecuniary interest.
63.9 Following a question from Councillor Carter, the Corporate Manager, Governance and Civic Office advised that the Panel had given consideration to average wages in the area and how to encourage new Councillors.
63.10 Members continued to debate the report on issues including: the number of Members with more than one SRA, the percentage of Councillors who voluntarily engaged with the review panel, the principle of voting for an increase during the municipal term, and the amount of work undertaken by Members.
63.11 By a vote of 19 vote for, 4 against and 7 abstentions,
It was RESOLVED:-
1.1a That the basic (Ward Representation) Allowance be set at £6,510.
1.1b That the Special Responsibility Allowances(SRA) be set at:-
Role |
Amount |
Chairman of the Council |
£6,510 |
Deputy Chairman of the Council |
£3,255 |
Leader of Council |
£16.275 |
Deputy Leader of the Council |
£8,137 |
Chair of Planning Committee |
£6,510 |
Vice-Chair of Planning Committee |
£3,255 |
Chair of the Joint Scrutiny Committee |
£6,510 |
Vice-Chair of the Joint Scrutiny Committee |
£3,255 |
Chair of Joint Audit and Standards Committee |
£3,255 |
Planning Committee Members |
£814 |
Political Group Leaders 5 or more members |
£4,882 |
Political Group Leaders less than 5 members |
£1,627 |
Chair of Regulatory Committee |
£3,255 |
Vice-Chair of Regulatory Committee |
£1,627 |
Cabinet Member with Portfolio |
£8,137 |
Cabinet Member without Portfolio |
£3,255 |
Lead Member |
£4,882 |
1.1c That no Councillor will be entitled to claim more than two SRA’s
1.1d That the Travel and Subsistence Allowance be set as the maximum levels payable to council staff in line with HM Revenue advertised Customs’ roles. Currently at:-
Mileage Rate 45p per mile
Cycle Mileage Rate 27.7p per mile
Passenger Allowance 5p per mile
1.1e That the Childcare and Dependants Allowance be set at:-
Childcare Allowance up to £13 per hour (subject to a receipt)
Dependants Relative Care/Specialist Nursing Care Allowance up to £30 per hour (subject to receipt)
With no cap on the maximum amount you can claim per month for approved duties.
1.2 That the revised Member Allowance Scheme will take effect from 8th May 2023.
1.3 That the revised Basic Allowance be increased in line with the Local Government Officer pay awards until the scheme is next reviewed in 2026 or earlier. If a future officer pay award was to be in the form of a lump sum the increase would be calculated by establishing the percentage increase of the lump sum using the council’s average officer wage.
1.4 That a Parental Leave policy be formulated on the principles set out in the Panel’s report and brought back to Council for approval.
1.5 That a revised Members Allowance Scheme incorporating the decisions of the Council be prepared by the Monitoring Officer. Further, that the Monitoring Officer be authorised to make any typographical amendments prior to publication of the final document.
1.6 That the Council formally records its thanks to the Independent Remuneration Panel for their work in preparing the report.
Supporting documents: