Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the head of legal and democratic, and the recommendations of the Joint Independent Remuneration Panel, on a revised councillors’ allowances scheme - attached.

Council considered the report of the Head of Legal and Democratic covering the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel on a revised councillors’ allowances scheme.

Councillor Smith moved, and Councillor Boyd seconded, the following motion.

 It is recommended that Council agrees: 

1. The recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel set out in their report as to the levels of basic and special responsibility allowances as set out in paragraph 7 of the report, with the exception of the recommended minimum threshold on the payment of the special responsibility allowance to the Leader of the main opposition group which will be disapplied 

2. That the revised scheme should apply from 1 April 2022 

3. That a task group comprising a member from each group consider the proposed content of a Parental Leave Policy for elected members and report back to Council with its recommendations at its meeting in December 2021 

4. To authorise the Head of Legal and Democratic to finalise and implement a councillors’ allowances scheme based on the decision in 1 and the IRP report 

5. To thank the members of the IRP for their work in reviewing the councillors’ allowances scheme. 

In supporting the motion councillors supported the view that there should be no lower threshold on the payment of the special responsibility allowance to the Leader of the largest opposition group. The role, irrespective of the size of the group, provided an important scrutiny challenge and helped keep councillors engaged in the council business. A number of councillors welcomed the proposal to introduce a councillors’ parental leave policy.

On being put to the vote the motion was agreed:

RESOLVED: to

1.    approve the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel set out in their report as to the levels of basic and special responsibility allowances as set out in paragraph 7 of the report of the Head of Legal and Democratic to Council on 7 October 2021, with the exception of the recommended minimum threshold on the payment of the special responsibility allowance to the Leader of the main opposition group which will be disapplied; 

2.    apply the revised scheme from 1 April 2022; 

3.    establish a task group comprising a member from each group consider the proposed content of a Parental Leave Policy for elected members and report back to Council with its recommendations at its meeting in December 2021; 

4.    authorise the Head of Legal and Democratic to finalise and implement a councillors’ allowances scheme based on the decision in 1 and the IRP report; and 

5.    thank the members of the IRP for their work in reviewing the councillors’ allowances scheme. 

To consider the report of the head of legal and democratic, and the recommendations of the Joint Independent Remuneration Panel, on a revised councillors’ allowances scheme to run from 1 April 2021 - attached.

Council considered the report of the head of legal and democratic and the recommendations of the Joint Independent Remuneration Panel on a revised councillors’ allowances scheme to run from 1 April 2021. 

Councillor Smith moved and Councillor Thompson seconded the following motion:

That Council:

1.    thanks the Independent Remuneration Panel for its work and its report;

2. retains for the financial year 2021/22 the existing councillors’ allowances scheme agreed by Council at its meeting on 17 May 2017 subject to

a.    the continuation of an increase in basic and special responsibility allowances from 1 April 2021 at the same rate as that applied to staff salaries;

b.    the inclusion of a special responsibility allowance for the Chair of the Climate Emergency Advisory Committee at the same rate as the Chair of the Scrutiny Committee backdated to 1 April 2020;

3. defers consideration of the independent remuneration panel’s other recommendations until later in 2021 but ahead of the budget setting process for 2022/23.

Councillor Howell moved and Councillor Boyd seconded the following amendment – deleted words shown by strikethrough and additional words shown in bold.

That Council:

1. thanks the Independent Remuneration Panel for its work and its report;

2.    retains for the financial year 2021/22 the existing councillors’ allowances scheme agreed by Council at its meeting on 17 May 2017 subject to

a.    the continuation of an increase in basic and special responsibility allowances from 1 April 2021 at the same rate as that applied to staff salaries; 

b.    the inclusion of a special responsibility allowance for the Chair of the Climate Emergency Advisory Committee at the same rate as the Chair of the Scrutiny Committee backdated to 1 April 2020; 

3.    defers consideration of the independent remuneration panel’s other recommendations until later in 2021 but ahead of the budget setting process for 2022/23.

Those who supported the amendment expressed the view that a back dated allowance for the Chair of the Climate Emergency Advisory Committee (CEAC) was inappropriate for the level of responsibility and the number of committee meetings held. However, other councillors expressed the view that the Chair of CEAC had undertaken a responsible role during the past year which should be recognised.

On being put to the vote the amendment was declared lost.

The majority of councillors supported the continuation of the current scheme of allowances and deferral of consideration of the Joint Independent Remuneration Panel’s report and recommendations until later in the year and ahead of the budget setting process for 2022/23.

On being put to the vote the original motion was declared carried.

RESOLVED: to

1.    thank the Independent Remuneration Panel for its work and its report;

2.    retain for the financial year 2021/22 the existing councillors’ allowances scheme agreed by Council at its meeting on 17 May 2017 subject to

a.    the continuation of an increase in basic and special responsibility allowances from 1 April 2021 at the same rate as that applied to staff salaries;

b.    the inclusion of a special responsibility allowance for the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 148