Independent Remuneration Panel
Minutes:
46.1 The Chairman invited the Corporate Manager for Governance and Civic Office, Jan Robinson, to introduce report BC/23/17.
46.2 The Corporate Manager for Governance and Civic Office introduced the report which contained a recommendation to Council from the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) regarding the Political Deputy Leader’s Role.
46.3 Councillor McLaren PROPOSED the recommendations in the report. Councillor Regester SECONDED the recommendations.
46.4 Councillor Holt asked whether a Member would be able to receive both the Cabinet Member and Deputy Political Leader allowance. The Corporate Manager for Governance and Civic Office advised that it had previously been agreed by Council that Members would be able to receive two Special Responsibilities Allowances.
46.5 Councillor Maybury referred to the research which been carried out and commented that the Local Authorities who were consulted were not comparable to Babergh District Council in size.
46.6 Councillor Beer asked whether a job share had been considered for the role so that the allowance could be split between both Political Deputy Leaders.
46.7 The Corporate Manager for Governance and Civic Office advised Members that the research was undertaken following information provided by the Local Government Association (LGA) and the Local Authorities consulted were those which had different styles of leadership. The Corporate Manager went on to confirm that the recommendations in the report were provided by the IRP after consideration of the evidence provided to them.
46.8 Councillor Maybury asked a question regarding why the LGA specifically chose the Councils they did to make a comparison with. The Corporate Manager for Governance and Civic Office stated that the councils had been chosen because they had different political leadership arrangements with a statutory and non-statutory leader.
46.9 Councillor Maybury then asked whether consultation had taken place with the Chief Executive and the Monitoring Officer regarding the research. The Chief Executive commented that the recommendations in the report were from the IRP, and not Members or Officers, and confirmed that he had been consulted.
46.10 In response to a question from Councillor McCraw, the Corporate Manager for Governance and Civic Office advised that IRP had been consulted and the recommendations were from the IRP and not Political Group Leaders.
46.11 Following a question from Councillor Maybury, the Interim Director for Law and Governance advised that there was nothing in statute to say that a Member could not decline an allowance, however it would need to be created first in order to be declined.
46.12 In response to a comment from Councillor Maybury, Councillor Ward stated that he had been a Cabinet Member since May 2017 and had received an allowance throughout that time. He went on to say that the new leadership arrangement was unique in Babergh District Council’s history, and the workload, which is shared between himself, Councillor Busby, and Councillor Saw, had increased significantly. He then stated that the proposed remuneration was not excessive for the workload and was reasonable and proportionate.
46.13 Councillor Holt stated that the role had been created out of political reasons and the workload was the same as for previous cabinets. He went on to comment that the increase would not be appreciated by residents, and taxpayers should not be burdened with the additional costs.
46.14 Councillor Riley PROPOSED an amendment to the recommendation to change the multiplier.
46.15 Following a discussion between Members regarding the Leaders positions and the percentage multipliers, the Chief Executive confirmed that there was one Statutory Deputy Leader which attracts a multiplier of 1.25% which is equivalent to £8,137. In addition, there was one Deputy Political Leader which does not currently attract a Special Responsibility Allowance. The recommendation from the IRP proposed an allowance for this position.
46.16 Councillor Riley confirmed the proposed amendment to split the current multiplier between the two Deputy Political Leaders. Councillor Beer SECONDED the proposal.
46.17 Councillor McCraw commented that there were currently eight Members of the Cabinet, and the Leader was entitled to appoint up to ten Cabinet Members, therefore the additional cost of appointing the Deputy Political Leaders could be a cost of appointing an additional Cabinet Member under existing powers.
46.18 Councillor Beer stated that the allowances were paid from Council Tax payers money and that there was no justification for the additional payments.
By a vote of 11 votes For, 11 votes Against and 5 Abstentions and the Chairman’s casting vote.
The motion was LOST
46.19 Councillor McCraw PROPOSED that the question be now put. Councillor Dowling SECONDED the proposal. The motion was CARRIED by a show of hands.
46.20 The recommendations in the report were PUT to the meeting.
By a vote of 11 votes Against, 10 votes For and 6 Abstentions the motion was LOST.
It was RESOLVED:
That the recommendations from the Independent Remuneration Panel were rejected.
Supporting documents: