Agenda item

The Director for Legal, Policy and Governance presented the report advising that the Council's Independent Remuneration Panel had made recommendations for the adoption of a scheme of allowances to be paid to Members. It was noted that the Panel had met three times to consider Members current allowances and whether it should recommend to Council a reduction, no change or an increase for the 2026/27 civic year. After speaking with several Members, including the leaders of nearly all of the political groups of the Council, the Panel made the recommended changes to the allowance as set out at paragraph 4.0 of the report.

Councillor Crystall proposed that the recommendations in the report be supported. Councillor Daar seconded the proposal.

Councillor Goldspink proposed the following amendment:

Amend recommendation A) as follows:

•         Replace: A) To increase the Basic Allowance by £821.21 a year from £5,678.79 to £6,500 for 2026/27.

•         With: A) “To increase the Basic Allowance by £500.00 a year from £5,678.79 to £6,178.79 for 2026/27”.

Councillor Brittain seconded the amendment.

Members thanked the Independent Panel for their work on this subject, however noted that the proposed increase would equate to a cost of £41,000 and that the amendment sought to balance the Council’s duty to the taxpayer and existing councillors.

Members recognised disagreement from the joint administration. It was confirmed that the recommendations were from the Independent Panel and not from the administration.

Members debated the amendment, highlighting that financial constraints should not be a barrier to becoming a Councillor. Members recognised that with Local Government Reorganisation, East Herts Council would cease to exist in 2027/28, with new unitary authorities likely to provide higher allowances and therefore the decision mostly affected current councillors.

Members highlighted that the £500 increase would still equate to around 9% rise, which was higher than staff pay increases.

Members further debated the requirement to pay Councillors, to enable people to put themselves forward to be a Councillor. Members acknowledged that the recommendation was put forward by the Independent Remuneration Panel and highlighted that they were best placed to make to the recommendation.

Members recognised that the increase may matter more to some, and it was suggested that those who did not require the increase, could chose to pay it back to the Council.

Members appreciated the differing views shared across the Chamber.

Having been proposed and seconded, the amendment was put to the meeting and upon a vote being taken, was declared CARRIED.

Members further debated recommendation A, as amended, and recommendations B-E.

Members discussed the proposed allowances for caring responsibilities, highlighting that the amount per hour often did not meet fees due to be paid.

Councillors recognised that the additional allowances made a real difference in enabling Members to attend meetings. 

Members commented on recommendations B and C, which sought to provide discretion for the Leader to vary the sum of allowances, if demonstrably necessary. The Leader of the Council provided assurance to Members that any variances would be considered in consultation with the Director for Finance, Risk and Performance.

Following consensus, recommendation A, as amended, was voted on separately to recommendations B-E.

Having been proposed and seconded, the amended recommendation A was put to the meeting and upon a vote being taken, was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that (A) to increase the Basic Allowance by £500.00 a year from £5,678.79 to £6,178.79 for 2026/27.

Having been proposed and seconded, recommendations B-E were put to the meeting and upon a vote being taken, were declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that (B) to increase the Dependants’ Carers Allowance from £30.00 per hour to up to £35.00 per hour for 2026/27, with discretion for the Leader to vary the sum if demonstrably necessary.

C) to increase the Childcare Allowance from £15.00 per hour to up to £20.00 per hour for 2026/27, with discretion for the Leader to vary the sum if demonstrably necessary.

D) to make no changes to the Members’ current allowance scheme or to the civic allowances for 2026/27 other than those listed in the recommendations above.

E) To amend paragraph 20.7.1 of the Council’s constitution replacing the current:

20.7 Broadband Allowance

20.7.1 Contribution toward the cost incurred in providing broadband connection is included within the basic allowance.

with:

20.7 Homeworking Allowance

20.7.1 Contribution toward the costs incurred in homeworking is included within the basic allowance