Issue - items at meetings - Review of Members Allowances

RESOLVED

That Council be recommended to approve the following:

(i)That the Special Responsibility Allowance for the Leader’s position remain at the current level of £28,758 as outlined  in paragraph 3.4 and appendix 1 to the report

(ii)That the Special Responsibility Allowance for the two Deputy Leaders’ positions remain at the current level of £17,254 as outlined in paragraph 3.4 and appendix 1 to the report

(iii)That the Special Responsibility Allowance of £10,967 be payable to the Chairs of Committees as outlined in paragraphs 3.6 to 3.9 and appendix 1 to the report

(iv)That a Special Responsibility Allowance of £8,626 be payable to the Deputy Chair of Policy & Resources (with responsibility for Finance & Resources), as outlined in paragraph 3.7 of the report

(v)That a Special Responsibility Allowance of £3,594 be payable to the Deputy Chairs of Planning and Licensing Committees, as detailed in paragraph 3.9 of the report

(vi)That the Special Responsibility Allowance of £2,156 for the Deputy Chairs of Committees be payable as outlined in paragraphs 3.6 to 3.9 and appendix 1 to the report

(vii)That a Special Responsibility Allowance of £2,156 be agreed for the four positions of Opposition Spokesperson as outlined in paragraph 3.10 of the report

(viii)That the remaining aspects of the current Members’ Allowance Scheme be retained with the inclusion of the changes in Special Responsibility Allowance’s as outlined above (2-8) form the Members Allowances Scheme 2012/13 set out at Appendix 2 to the report and to take effect from 18 May 2012

74.1 The Committee considered a report of the Independent Remuneration   Panel (IRP). The Chair of the IRP introduced the report. The Council had agreed to adopt new governance arrangements and move from the Leader and Cabinet model to a Committee System. The Independent Remuneration Panel had therefore been asked to consider the implications for the Special Responsibility Allowances paid to councillors with specific positions held in the new governance arrangements.

74.2 The Chair thanked the Independent Remuneration Panel for their work.

74.3 Councillor Morgan noted that there was no Special Responsibility Allowance for the Deputy Chairs of the two scrutiny committees, and asked if that would send out a message that those committees were not seen as equal.  The Chair of the IRP said that the role of the Deputy Chair on the scrutiny committees had been fully considered, but not enough evidence had been provided to convince the panel that a Special Responsibility Allowance was justified. However, the matter would be monitored over the coming year, with particular attention paid to the role of the Deputy Chairs.

74.4 Councillor Randall said that Foster Panel did a great deal of work, and suggested that their role be looked at too.  The Chair of the IRP agreed.

RESOLVED

That Council be recommended to approve the following:

(i)That the Special Responsibility Allowance for the Leader’s position remain at the current level of £28,758 as outlined in paragraph 3.4 and appendix 1 to the report

(ii)That the Special Responsibility Allowance for the two Deputy Leaders’ positions remain at the current level of £17,254 as outlined in paragraph 3.4 and appendix 1 to the report

(iii)That the Special Responsibility Allowance of £10,967 be payable to the Chairs of Committees as outlined in paragraphs 3.6 to 3.9 and appendix 1 to the report

(iv)That a Special Responsibility Allowance of £8,626 be payable to the Deputy Chair of Policy & Resources (with responsibility for Finance & Resources), as outlined in paragraph 3.7 of the report

(v)That a Special Responsibility Allowance of £3,594 be payable to the Deputy Chairs of Planning and Licensing Committees, as detailed in paragraph 3.9 of the report

(vi)That the Special Responsibility Allowance of £2,156 for the Deputy Chairs of Committees be payable as outlined in paragraphs 3.6 to 3.9 and appendix 1 to the report

(vii)That a Special Responsibility Allowance of £2,156 be agreed for the four positions of Opposition Spokesperson as outlined in paragraph 3.10 of the report

(viii)That the remaining aspects of the current Members’ Allowance Scheme be retained with the inclusion of the changes in Special Responsibility Allowance’s as outlined above (2-8) form the Members Allowances Scheme 2012/13 set out at Appendix 2 to the report and to take effect from 18 May 2012