Decision Maker: Executive, Council

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: February 11, 2025

Purpose: To receive the report of the Joint Independent Remuneration Panel on Members’ Allowances.

Content: The Executive RESOLVED to RECOMMEND to Council the implementation of a new scheme of Councillor’s allowances, having taken into consideration the Independent Remuneration Panel’s recommendations, as amended by appendix 2 to the report and further amended by the Executive and set out below:   (i)            An increase in Basic Allowance to all 50 councillors from £5,844.84 to £6,020.00   (ii)           Remove the current tax free status of the first £633 from the basic allowance. (no financial impact to the Council)   (iii)          That the tiering system for all other roles be applied as in Table 1, overpage.   (iv)          That a new Dependents’ Carers’ Allowance, adopting best practice from the Local Government Association, be included in the scheme of allowances as follows:   Level 1 – this will be paid to those members with caring responsibilities, towards the cost of care for dependents for whom the Member is the main carer, necessarily incurred during the undertaking of Council business. It applies to children, or to elderly or disabled dependents. The allowance will not be payable to a member of the claimant’s own household. The maximum period of the entitlement will be the duration of Council business and reasonable travelling time. The rate of reimbursement is equivalent to the living wage for employees over 21.   Level 2 – This shall be for specialist care based at cost upon production of receipts and requiring medical evidence that this type of care is required. This shall apply for councillors with caring responsibility for persons of any age. There shall be no limit to these claims, provided that they are made in respect of approved duties.   (v)           That co-optees to the Council receive 5% of the Basic Allowance for their duties.