Decision details

RESOLVED: 

That the full recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel and the scheme of members allowances to apply from 1 April 2025 be recommended to Council for approval

KEY DECISION: 

Report to Cabinet and Council 

PORTFOLIO: 

Leader

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED: 

As set out in the report. 

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: 

None 

DISCUSSION: 

The Service Manager – Democratic and Support Services reported that this was the second of two reviews commissioned by the Cabinet for an IRP of members allowances.  This review was discretionary and reflected on the electoral review of the District which had seen a reduction in the number of elected members and the changes to the governance arrangements.

Appendix 1 detailed the considerations and recommendations of the IRP and a revised draft Scheme of Members allowances (Appendix 2), reflected on these recommendations.  Minimal changes had been proposed by the Panel, but it was acknowledged that each councillor had an additional number of electors within their ward with the reduction in the number of councillors.  The proposals sought to tidy up the basic allowance and the Leader’s Special Responsibility Allowance (SRA) multiplier, which in turn would make minor changes to the range of SRA’s payable.  It was proposed to continue with indexation to the national pay award for staff.

It was noted that in relation to financial implications, the conclusion of the process of the electoral review, meant there was an ongoing saving in the Medium Term Financial Plan.  The IRP recommended continuing with the parental leave policy and the dependent carers allowance, which would help to remove any barriers for prospective councillor candidates from standing for election as a councillor and that this should be promoted by the council and political groups.