Decision details

The Assistant Director – Governance & Monitoring Officer introduced a report which sought recommendations in respect of the Council’s Independent Remuneration Panel.

Members noted that under the Local Authorities (Members’ Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003 the Council was required to establish and maintain an Independent Remuneration Panel to consider and make recommendations about the level of allowances payable to Members.

The Independent Remuneration Panel last reviewed the Members’ Allowances Scheme in 2022. Since that time one of the members had resigned and one of the panel member appointments had expired. The Council was therefore required to make new appointments to the Panel to enable a review of allowances to take place.

Temporary appointments were recommended for one year, until May 2025, from existing Independent Remuneration Panel members across the South and East Lincolnshire Council’s Partnership.Chris Penney and Nicci Marzec had served on South Holland District Council’s Remuneration Panel for a number of years and were therefore considered to be suitably qualified to serve on Boston’s Panel for the forthcoming year.

The report also recommended an annual allowance of £200 for Panel Members in order to reflect the role and work that they would undertake on behalf of the Council.

The Assistant Director – Governance & Monitoring Officer advised that subject to approval of the proposed appointments, it was proposed to convene a review of the panel in the near future with a view to conducting a review of allowances and make a recommendation to Full Council later in the financial year.

Councillor Woodliffe confirmed his support of the recommendations and encouraged the Panel to meet and make recommendations as soon as possible. He mentioned his concerns regarding the parity between the three Councils within the Partnership.

The recommendations were moved by Councillor Anne Dorrian and seconded by Councillor Dale Broughton.

Resolved:

1.    That Chris Penney and Nicci Marzec be temporarily appointed as members of the Independent Remuneration Panel to serve until the Annual Meeting of the Council in May 2025; and

2.    That an annual allowance of £200 for Panel Members be approved.