Issue - meetings

(A report by the Independent Remuneration Panel)

The Assistant Director – Governance & Monitoring Officer presented a report which invited Council to consider the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel and to approve the Members’ Allowances Scheme, attached at Appendix A within the report, to take effect from 1 April 2025.

Simon Sperring, Chairman of the Independent Remuneration Panel presented the report of the Independent Remuneration Panel, attached at Appendix 1.

Members considered the report and recommendations of the Independent Renumeration Panel regarding the Members' Allowances Scheme. The Panel was thanked for their report, their hard work and commitment.

The recommendations were moved by Councillor Anne Dorrian and seconded by Councillor Barrie Pierpoint.

Councillor Stephen Woodliffe referred to a handout that had been tabled prior to the meeting and proposed an amendment which included specific figures for the revised allowances and the suggestion of backdating them to 1^st April 2024 to be funded from in year underspends. In proposing the amendment Councillor Woodliffe emphasized the need to raise the importance of the work that councillors do and provided reasoning behind the proposed changes. The amendment was seconded by Councillor Peter Bedford.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 20.4, a ballot was taken on the amendment following which the amendment was carried and became the substantive motion.

Members referred to the substantive motion and the following points were made:

·       A concern was raised in regards to public perception with the proposals and the current economic climate.

·       The Council was operating more effectively due to the hard work and commitment of councillors.

No further amendments were proposed. Following which in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 20.4, a ballot was taken on the substantive motion.

RESOLVED:

1.     That the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel, as set out in Appendix 1, be noted; and

2.     That, subject to recommendation 1, the Council approve the Members’ Allowances Scheme attached at Appendix A to take effect from 1 April 2025 but amends the basic, special responsibility and co-optee allowances contained within Appendix A and within its current Members’ Allowance Scheme 2024/25 to the figures set out in Column B of the circulated amendment paper and agrees to backdate those allowances to 1 April 2024 and fund from in year underspends. The allowances listed in Column B were as follows:

[The Independent Remuneration Panel members, Simon Sperring, Nicci Marzec and Chris Penney, left the meeting at 7.16 p.m. following consideration of the above item.]