Agenda item - Review of Members Allowances

Report of the Executive Lead Strategy Governance & Law (copy attached)

RESOLVED: The Committee agreed -

1.    That the Members Allowances Scheme be amended to provide that for those councillors opting to take a car park pass for Norton Road and the Lanes car parks, a monthly contribution equivalent to that applied for councillors taking a bus pass (currently £23.09 for 2019/20), be deducted from their monthly Basic Allowance payment;

2.    That the car park permit issued to councillors for Norton Road should be for Mondays–Fridays only;

3.    That the intention of the Independent Remuneration Panel to undertake a review on the establishment of maternity/paternity/adoption leave policy for councillors (in so far as it relates to allowances) and to report back in the autumn be noted.

34.1    The Committee considered the report of the Executive Lead Strategy & Governance which set out the recommendations of the Independent remuneration Panel, following its review of the decision taken at the Budget Council meeting to ‘Remove the subsidy to Councillor’s parking at car parks at Norton Road, Hove and The Lanes, Brighton, releasing £0.038m in recurrent funding’.

34.2    The Chair noted that an amendment had been submitted by the Green Group, and asked Councillor Clare to introduce it.

34.3    Councillor Clare said that the Green Group agreed with most of the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP), however the amendment to require councillors to pay for car park passes was being proposed as a way to encourage sustainable travel and a way to set at good example to residents of the City. Councillor Clare proposed the following amendment (changes in bold):

2.1 That the Members Allowances Scheme be amended to requirecouncillors to fully self-fund a car park pass for Norton Road and the Lanes car parks

2.2 That the car park permit issued to councillors for Norton Road should be for Mondays–Fridays only, and

2.3 That the intention of the Independent Remuneration Panel to undertake a review on the establishment of maternity/paternity/adoption leave policy for councillors (in so far as it relates to allowances) and to report back in the autumn be noted.

34.4    Councillor Osborne seconded the amendment and said that the priority should be the climate emergency and people should pay for the privilege of using a car.

34.5    The Chair noted that the Conservative Group had also submitted an amendment and asked Councillor Bell to introduce it.

34.6    Councillor Bell said he supported most of the IRP’s recommendations but there was an equalities issue as bus passes could be used seven days a week, but car park passes could only be used on week days. Councillor Bell proposed the following amendment (changes in bold):

2.1      That the Members Allowances Scheme be amended to provide that for those

councillors opting to take a car park pass for Norton Road and the Lanes car parks, a monthly contribution equivalent to that applied for councillors taking a bus pass (currently £23.09 for 2019/20), be deducted from their monthly Basic Allowance payment;

2.2      That the car park permits issued to councillors for Norton Road and the Lanes car parks should be valid for seven days a week so as, to be in line with bus passes which are for 7 days of the week

2.3      That the intention of the Independent Remuneration Panel to undertake a review on the establishment of maternity/paternity/adoption leave policy for councillors (in so far as it relates to allowances) and to report back in the autumn be noted.

34.7    Councillor Janio seconded the amendment and said that some members needed to use their cars for safety reasons, and it was important to encourage people to be councillors and the amendment would do that.

36.8    Councillor Shanks said that we lived in a city with a great bus service, and therefore needed to encourage people to use alternatives to the car.

36.9    The Monitoring Officer said that if the Green Group amendment were carried, it would be necessary to consult on how that payment would be made.

36.10  The Committee voted on the Green Group amendment, and it was not agreed.

36.11  The Committee voted on the Conservative Group amendment, and it was not agreed.

36.12  RESOLVED: The Committee recommend to Council -

1.    That the Members Allowances Scheme be amended to provide that for those councillors opting to take a car park pass for Norton Road and the Lanes car parks, a monthly contribution equivalent to that applied for councillors taking a bus pass (currently £23.09 for 2019/20), be deducted from their monthly Basic Allowance payment;

2.    That the car park permit issued to councillors for Norton Road should be for Mondays – Fridays only;

3.    That the intention of the Independent Remuneration Panel to undertake a review on the establishment of maternity/paternity/adoption leave policy for councillors (in so far as it relates to allowances) and to report back in the autumn be noted.