Agenda item

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 Members 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 made specific recommendations relating to Broadband Allowance, which was not universally claimed, reducing it by £10 per month.  This was in light of its access now being much more widespread, than when the allowance had been introduced, some years ago, and due to its availability amongst Members being not solely for their Council work.

 

The Panel’s full set of recommendations were as set out below: -

 

Allowance

Rate

2018/19

Rate

2019/20

 

 

 

 

Basic Allowance

£5,480

£5,590

 

SRA – Leader of Council

£12,180

£12,425

 

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

 

£4,415

£4,505

SRA – Chair of Council

£3,900

£3,980

 

SRA – Vice-Chair of Council

£1,340

£1,370

 

Civic Allowance for the Chairman of Council

 

£1,575

£1,610

Civic Allowance for the Vice-Chairman of Council

 

£430

£440

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

 

£3,045

£3,105

SRA – Regulatory Chair

£1,522.50

£1,555

 

SRA – Licensing Chair

£1,522.50

£1,555

 

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

 

£1,440

£1,470

SRA – Regulatory Vice-Chair

£720

£735

 

SRA – Licensing Vice-Chair

£720

£735

 

 

SRA – Leader of the Opposition (in the event of the Council being a‘hung’ Council, the Leaders of the two largest groups be paid the same special responsibility

allowance as for the Leader of the Opposition)

 

 

 

£4,415

 

 

£4,505

SRADeputyLeader oftheOpposition

£800

£820

 

SRAMinorityGroup Leaders (per group member, and including the Group Leader)

 

£95

£100

Independent Members: Governance & Audit and Standards Committees – 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

£10

No

Change

 

Eye Test

£20

No

Change

 

Broadband

£20

£10

 

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

 

No change to subsistence allowances as set out below.  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

 

Rail Travel amounting to more than £25 to be booked centrally through Committee Administration.

 

The Chairman of the Governance and Audit Committee expressed his thanks to all Members of the Remuneration panel for the work they undertook each year on behalf of the Tax Payer and congratulated them on their excellent work.

 

Whilst he considered the assessment to be a fair and reasonable one on the whole, concern was expressed that for those Members who did claim their broadband expenses, with the reduction proposed, the revised offer as a whole would actually see total remuneration reduced. It was important that remuneration did not fail to adequately meet the role.

 

For this reason Councillor McNeill indicated he would move the recommendations with the exception of recommendation (c) “The reduction of claimable broadband reimbursement payments to £10 per calendar month”, which he proposed be removed.

 

Councillor Cotton spoke in support of the revised proposal put forward by Councillor McNeill, indicating he was of the belief the allowance had originally been introduced to replace a previous allowance offered for phone and postage expenses.  It was also suggested that whilst access to broadband was more readily available this did not necessarily mean it was cheaper.  He further indicated that he would prefer the broadband allowance to remain at its current level and the 2% increase on basic allowance not be accepted.

 

Councillor Cotton therefore seconded the proposal to remove recommendation (c) and on being put to the vote the amendment was carried.

 

The Group Leader for the Labour Party indicated that he did not consider a further increase in the allowance for the position of Minority Group Leaders was warranted in future years.

 

The Leader of the Council addressed the meeting, and whilst he had supported the removal of recommendation (c) he spoke of the importance of ensuring Members roles were adequately remunerated for and therefore supported the 2% increase being proposed, this was in line with staff increases and in cash value terms was not a significant increase.

 

The Monitoring Officer reminded Members that the report had been prepared by the Independent Panel and therefore Members were in a position to either accept or reject the recommendations, individually or as a whole, but they were not permitted to amend them.

 

The remaining recommendations were moved and seconded and on being put to the vote, carried.

 

RESOLVED that that the new rates, with regard to Members’ Allowances for the Civic Year 2019 – 2020, as set out above, be approved by agreeing:-

 

(a)       an increase of 2% for the Basic allowance

 

(b)       an increase of 2% across Special Responsibility Allowances (SRA’s)

 

(c)       Rail and travel, when amounting to more than £25, to be booked centrally through Committee Administration.

 

(d)       all remaining allowances be retained at current rates, including broadband provision.

 

The Leader expressed thanks to Mr Lomas, and paid tribute to him and his work over the years.  Mr Lomas had served on the Remuneration Panel for a number of years and had indicated he would not be seeking re-appointment to the position on this occasion.

 

Members joined the Leader in paying tribute to Mr Lomas.

 

Mr Lomas made a short outgoing speech, thanking the Council and wishing its Members and Officers well for future endeavours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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