Agenda item

Report of the Service Manager Democratic Services.

Consideration was given to a report of the Service Manager Democratic Services which presented the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel for the next financial year.

A proposition was moved by Councillor Clarke and seconded by Councillor Payne.

In accordance with Standing Order 17.03, the proposition was put to a named vote as follows:

For the motion:

Councillors Adams, Peter Barnes, Sandra Barnes, Barnfather, Bosworth, Boyle, Brooks, Clarke, Clunie, Collis, Creamer, Elliott, David Ellis, Rachael Ellis, Roxanne Ellis, Fox, Gibbons, Greensmith, Gregory, Hollingsworth, Hope, Keneally, Lawrence, Miller, Murray, Najuk, Paling, Parr, Payne, Scroggie, Martin Smith, Sam Smith, Thomas, Truscott, Wheeler.

Against the motion:

Councillors Ellwood and Towsey-Hinton.

Abstentions:

Councillor Wilkinson.

RESOLVED to:

1)    Thank the Independent Remuneration Panel for its work and accept the recommendations made and therefore agree that:

a.            the basic allowance payable to all Members’ from 1 April 2020 should be increased in line with the pay award made to local government senior management (once it is known);

b.            the Special Responsibility Allowances should be increased in line with any pay award made to local government senior management with the exception of the roles of Main Opposition Group Leader, Minority Opposition Group Leader, and Business Managers which will be introduced or amended as detailed in paragraph 3.6 of the Panel’s report;

c.            the Members’ Allowances Scheme should be updated to reflect that Members travelling and subsistence payments are made in line with the rate applicable to NJC employees;

d.            the list of approved duties, detailed at Appendix 3 to the report, is incorporated into Schedule 2 to the Members’ Allowances Scheme;

e.            the hourly rate claimable for the Childcare and Independent Carer’s Allowance should be set at a maximum rate equivalent to the “real living wage” and subject to the conditions set out in recommendation 5 of the Panel’s report.

2)    Consequently, agree the schedule of members’ allowances for 2020/21 as attached at Appendix 2 to the report, is incorporated into Schedule 1 to the Members’ Allowances Scheme, noting that these will be adjusted once the pay award is known;

3)    Authorise the Monitoring Officer to make appropriate amendments to Part 6 of the Constitution to reflect any changes to the Members’ Allowances Scheme agreed.