Agenda item

Members Allowances Scheme 2018/2019

Minutes:

Mr David Lomas, Chairman of the Independent Remuneration Panel introduced the report and outlined the process that had been undertaken to produce the recommendations set out in the report.  Consultation had taken place with Councillors and thanks were expressed to those that had responded.  It was considered that the changes to the Special Responsibility Allowances were reasonable and the Panel had been mindful of the need for caution in increasing allowances, whilst also been aware of the dangers of remuneration failing to adequately compensate for the role.  Consideration had also been given to the pay rises for staff in order to avoid any feeling of inequality. 

 

The Panel had been made aware of constitutional changes affecting the Licensing and Regulatory Committees and hence had made specific recommendations regarding these Committees.  Changes to the Dependent Carers Allowance and the introduction of an eye test reimbursement allowance were also being proposed.

 

Comparison had been made with other authorities and the results were set out in the appendix.

 

The Panels full set of recommendations were as set out below: -

 

                                                                                     Currently                         New Rate                                                                                                            

 

Basic Allowance  

£5,400

£5,480

 

SRA- LeaderofCouncil

£12,000

£12,180

 

SRA– DeputyLeader/s (in the event of two or more being nominated, the payment to be shared)

£4,350

£4,415

 

SRA-Chair of Council  

£3,840

£3,900

 

SRA – Vice-Chair of Council

£1,320

£1,340

 

Civic Allowance for the Chairman of Council

£1,550

£1,575

 

Civic Allowance for the Vice-Chairman of Council

£420

£430

 

SRA– CommitteeChairs (excluding Licensing Cttee and Regulatory Cttee)

£3,000

£3,045

 

SRA – Regulatory Chair

£1,500

£1,522.50

 

SRA – Licensing Chair

£1,500

£1,522.50

 

SRA – Committee Vice-Chairs (excluding Licensing Cttee and Regulatory Cttee)

SRA – Regulatory Vice Chair

SRA – Licensing Vice Chair

£1,420

 

£710

 

£710

£1,440

 

£720

 

£720

 

SRA– Leader of the Opposition (in the event of

£4,350

£4,415

 

the Council being a ‘hung[1]’ Council, the Leaders of the two largest groups be paid the same special responsibility allowance as for the Leader of the Opposition)

 

 

 

SRA– DeputyLeader oftheOpposition

£790

£800

 

SRA– MinorityGroup Leaders (per group member, and including the Group Leader)

£90

£95

 

Co-optees’ Allowance – A payment of £60.00 for the first four hours of attendance at a meeting/event and a second payment for attendance in excess of four hours. The first four hours would commence from the start time of the meeting (To be paid when not chairing a meeting).

£60

No change

Dependent Carer’s Allowance                         £6.50                          £10

Eye Test Re-imbursement                             n/a                               £20 per 2 years

 

No change to travel allowances.  The Panel noted and commented that travel allowances are currently in line with the tax efficient rate authorised by the Inland Revenue

Subsistence –  No change  (Receipts must be provided for subsistence claimed and attached to the claim form).

a.    Absence of more than four hours but no more than eight hours – only the cost of one meal can be reimbursed up to a maximum of £15.

b.    Absence of more than eight hours but no more than 12 hours – only the cost of two meals can be reimbursed up to a maximum of £25.

c.    Absence of more than 12 hours but no more than 16 hours – only the cost of three meals can be reimbursed up to a maximum of £33.

d.    Absence of more than 16 hours but not including an overnight stay – only the cost of four meals can be reimbursed up to a maximum of £40.

e.    Overnight – No Change – £83

f.     Overnight (London or LGA) – No Change – £208

 

The Leader expressed his thanks to all Members of the Remuneration panel for the work they undertook each year on behalf of the Authority. He considered the assessment to be a fair and reasonable one, based on consultation and evidence and moved the recommendations.

 

The Chairman of the Governance and Audit Committee, welcomed the report and seconded the recommendations.

 

RESOLVED that the new rates as shown above, with regard to Members’ Allowances for the Civic Year  2018 – 2019 be approved by agreeing:-

 

a)        an increase of £80 p/a for the Basic Allowance

b)        the proposed changes to SRA’s detailed above

c)         the SRA’s for Regulatory Committee and the Licensing Committee being split 50:50 for each Chairman and the Vice Chairman SRA being split 50:50 between each Vice Chairman

d)        an increase to the Dependant Carers Allowance of £3.50

e)        the introduction of reimbursement of the cost for an eye test up to a maximum of £20 in a two year period.

 


 

Supporting documents: