Issue - meetings

To receive a report of the Head of Democratic and Legal Support Services.

The Head of Democratic and Legal Support Services submitted a report containing the recommendations of the Council’s Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) following its review of Members Allowances.

The IRP had recommended that allowance levels within the 2014/15 scheme be retained for 2015/16 (1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016), save for the maximum hourly rates claimable for dependant care being increased to £10.15 per hour.

Council also considered the size of the IRP, given that one resignation had been received.

The Leader proposed that the IRP’s recommendations be accepted and that the size of the Panel be increased to 7 members.  Various Members supported this proposal.

Councillor C Woodward questioned the evidence for the IRP’s contention that most Members used their own IT equipment.  The Head of Democratic and Legal Support Services surmised that this view might have been formed based on Member responses to the IRP’s questionnaire.

The Executive Member for Community Partnership and Liaison clarified the agreed IT provision for Members from May 2015 onwards.

Council approved the recommendations as now detailed.

RESOLVED – that (A) allowance levels within the 2014/15 scheme be retained for 2015/16 (1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016), save for the maximum hourly rates claimable for dependant care being increased to £10.15 per hour; and

(B)      the size of the Independent Remuneration Panel be increased from 6 to 7 members, with existing appointees being retained and Officers being authorised to fill the two vacancies.