Agenda item

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 2025 - attached.

Council considered the findings of the Independent Remuneration Panel, including recommendations for the basic allowance and the special responsibility allowances for members.

Councillor Thompson moved, and Councillor Coleman seconded the following motion:

That Council:

1.    accepts the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel subject to a 40% Public Service Discount (PSD); 

2.    authorises the head of legal and democratic to finalise a councillors’ allowances scheme based on the decision in 1) and to make any consequential amendments to the constitution; and

3.    thanks the members of the Independent Remuneration Panel for their work in reviewing the councillors’ allowance scheme.

In moving the recommendation Councillor Thompson stated that he recognised the cost of living crisis facing residents across the district. The current level of allowances acted as a significant barrier to attracting a diverse range of people to put themselves forward to become councillors, particularly those on low incomes or with any caring responsibilities. As councillors were motivated by a sense of public service there should be a significant public service discount applied to any allowance and therefore the motion proposed reducing the PSD from 40% to 33% which would reduce the Independent Remuneration Panel recommendation for the basic allowance from £8,391 to £7,514 and the increase in special responsibility allowances would raise by 4.78% as opposed to the 17% recommended by the IRP.

Councillor Povolotsky moved, and Councillor Dewhurst seconded the following amendment:

1.      To recommend a 5% councillor allowance increase instead of the 34%.

2.    Work with the Monitoring Officer and Democratic Services to deep dive a “Councillor Access Fund” to help elected members during their term where their personal circumstances may change, to prevent any barriers to their participation.

3.    That all future allowance rises should be index linked unless otherwise stated by Central Government. 

Those members who spoke in support of the amendment recognised that there were barriers to standing for election but that increasing allowances was not the way to address these. Part 2 of the amendment would seek to address those barriers and provide support to members. They expressed the view that the proposed increase in the level of allowances could not be justified especially during the cost of living crisis.

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

The majority of members spoke in support of the motion. The IRP, which comprised a local government expert, had undertaken a thorough review and recommended an increase in allowances. It was important that Council recognised the principle that an independent panel should guide its deliberations. A number of members expressed disquiet about the current legal provisions for setting their own allowances and expressed views that central government should change the current legislation so that allowances should be set centrally and applied across the country.

Greater diversity was required amongst those who wished to be councillors and the role should not be a role only open to those who are independently wealthy. An increase in allowances could help address this. The retention of the 40% PSD recognised the value of public service whilst not undermining the desire to remove barriers for those on low incomes from either standing or continuing as members.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 68, which provides for a recorded vote if three members request one, the chair called for a recorded vote on the motion which was declared carried with the voting as follows:

Councillors Mike Pighills and Rayner were not present in the meeting for the recorded vote.

RESOLVED: That Council:

1.    accepts the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel subject to a 40% Public Service Discount (PSD); 

2.    authorises the head of legal and democratic to finalise a councillors’ allowances scheme based on the decision in 1) and to make any consequential amendments to the constitution; and

3.    thanks the members of the Independent Remuneration Panel for their work in reviewing the councillors’ allowance scheme.