Agenda item

To consider the report of the head of legal and democratic, and the recommendations of the Joint Independent Remuneration Panel, on a revised councillors’ allowances scheme to run from 1 April 2021 - attached.

Council considered the report of the head of legal and democratic and the recommendations of the Joint Independent Remuneration Panel on a revised councillors’ allowances scheme to run from 1 April 2021. 

Councillor Cooper moved and Councillor Rawlins seconded the following motion:

That Council:

1. thanks the Independent Remuneration Panel for its work and its report;

2. retains for the financial year 2021/22 the existing councillors’ allowances scheme agreed by Council at its meeting on 17 May 2017 subject to

a.    the continuation of an increase in basic and special responsibility allowances from 1 April 2021 at the same rate as that applied to staff salaries;

b.    the inclusion of a special responsibility allowance for the Chair of the Climate Emergency Advisory Committee at the same rate as the Chair of the Scrutiny Committee backdated to 1 April 2020;

3. defers consideration of the independent remuneration panel’s other recommendations until later in 2021 but ahead of the budget setting process for 2022/23.

Councillor Bartholomew moved and Councillor White seconded the following amendment – deleted words shown by strikethrough and additional words shown in bold.

That Council:

1.    thanks the Independent Remuneration Panel for its work and its report;

2.    retains for the financial year 2021/22 the existing councillors’ allowances scheme agreed by Council at its meeting on 17 May 2017 subject to

a.    the continuation of an increase in basic and special responsibility allowances from 1 April 2021 at the same rate as that applied to staff salaries; 

b.    the inclusion of a special responsibility allowance for the Chair of the Climate Emergency Advisory Committee at the same rate as the Chair of the Scrutiny Committee backdated to 1 April 2020 to take effect from 1 April 2021; 

c.  recognition that the role of Leader of the Majority Opposition Group has parity with the Chair of Planning and that the SRA should be adjusted accordingly with effect from 1 April 2021. 

3.    defers consideration of the independent remuneration panel’s other recommendations until later in 2021 but ahead of the budget setting process for 2022/23.

Those who supported the amendment expressed the view that a back dated allowance for the Chair of the Climate Emergency Advisory Committee (CEAC) was inappropriate and that the level of SRA for the role of the leader of the opposition should have parity with the Chair of the Planning Committee in recognition of the importance of the role in a functioning democracy with a strong opposition. However, other councillors expressed the view that the Chair of CEAC had undertaken a responsible role during the past year which should be recognised. The issue of the SRA for the leader of the opposition should be considered alongside consideration of the other allowances later in the year.

On being put to the vote the amendment was declared lost.

The majority of councillors supported the continuation of the current scheme of allowances and deferral of consideration of the Joint Independent Remuneration Panel’s report and recommendations until later in the year and ahead of the budget setting process for 2022/23.

On being put to the vote the original motion was declared carried.

RESOLVED: to

1.    thank the Independent Remuneration Panel for its work and its report;

2.    retain for the financial year 2021/22 the existing councillors’ allowances scheme agreed by Council at its meeting on 17 May 2017 subject to

a.    the continuation of an increase in basic and special responsibility allowances from 1 April 2021 at the same rate as that applied to staff salaries;

b.    the inclusion of a special responsibility allowance for the Chair of the Climate Emergency Advisory Committee at the same rate as the Chair of the Scrutiny Committee backdated to 1 April 2020;

3.    defer consideration of the independent remuneration panel’s other recommendations until later in 2021 but ahead of the budget setting process for 2022/23.