Agenda item

Report of the Democratic Services Manager

Consideration was given to a report of the Democratic Services Manager which sought to inform Council of the latest report from the Council’s Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) relating to member remuneration for 2024/25, to invite Council to consider the recommendations made by the Panel and to agree to launch a recruitment exercise to fill the current vacancy.

A revised set of recommendations than those printed in the agenda pack were proposed by Councillor David Elliss and seconded by Councillor Elliott, in the following terms:

1)       Thanks the Independent Remuneration Panel for its work;

2)       Accepts the Independent Remuneration Panel’s recommendation numbers one and three as contained in the report;

3)       Does not accept the Independent Remuneration Panel’s recommendation number two as contained in the report;

4)       Agrees to link both Basic and Special Responsibility Allowances to increase in line with Chief Officer’s local authority pay awards as agreed in previous years;

5)       As a form of indexation, agrees that the Chief Officer local authority pay award adjustment be applied to Basic and Special Responsibility Allowances for the next four years in accordance with the Local Authorities (Members Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003;

6)       Agree the schedule of members’ allowances for 2024/25 as attached at appendix 1 to this report, but uprated by the pay award once agreed;

7)       Authorise the Monitoring Officer to make appropriate amendments to section 29 of the Constitution to reflect any changes to the members’ allowances scheme agreed and publicise any amendment;

8)       Agree to launch a recruitment exercise to fill the current vacancy on the Independent Remuneration Panel, and recruit one additional panel member;

9)       Agree to establish a cross party interview panel of 3 Members to interview suitable candidates for the Independent Remuneration Panel as detailed in the report, and make recommendation to Council as to appointment.

RESOLVED that Council:

1)       Thanks the Independent Remuneration Panel for its work;

2)       Accepts the Independent Remuneration Panel’s recommendation numbers one and three as contained in the report;

3)       Does not accept the Independent Remuneration Panel’s recommendation number two as contained in the report;

4)       Agrees to link both Basic and Special Responsibility Allowances to increase in line with Chief Officer’s local authority pay awards as agreed in previous years;

5)       As a form of indexation, agrees that the Chief Officer local authority pay award adjustment be applied to Basic and Special Responsibility Allowances for the next four years in accordance with the Local Authorities (Members Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003;

6)       Agree the schedule of members’ allowances for 2024/25 as attached at appendix 1 to this report, but uprated by the pay award once agreed;

7)       Authorise the Monitoring Officer to make appropriate amendments to section 29 of the Constitution to reflect any changes to the members’ allowances scheme agreed and publicise any amendment;

8)       Agree to launch a recruitment exercise to fill the current vacancy on the Independent Remuneration Panel, and recruit one additional panel member;

9)       Agree to establish a cross party interview panel of 3 Members to interview suitable candidates for the Independent Remuneration Panel as detailed in the report, and make recommendation to Council as to appointment.

Councillor Hughes left the meeting.