To consider and approve the Herefordshire councillors allowances scheme having regard to the recommendations of the council’s independent remuneration panel (IRP).

Council considered a report by the Democratic Services Manager to consider and approve the Herefordshire councillors allowances scheme having regard to recommendations of the council’s independent remuneration panel (IRP).

The recommendations in the report were proposed by the Chairman and seconded by Councillor David Hitchiner.

The recommendations in the report were put to the vote and were carried by a simple majority.

RESOLVED:

That Council having regard to the recommendations made by the independent remuneration panel:

          i.         Introduces a new allowance for all the council’s independent persons and co-opted members;

        ii.         Agrees allowances are provided annually as a lump sum payment – as follows:

a)    A+G Independent Persons - £1,500 p/a (based on 10 meetings p/a)

b)    Scrutiny Co-opted Members - £900 p/a (based on 6 meetings p/a)

c)    Standard Independent Persons - £450 p/a (based on 3 meetings p/a)

       iii.         Permits a technical update to the constitutional provisions (as set out at 2.2.21)  that apply to councillors be also applied to independent persons and co-opted members;

       iv.         Asks Council to commission the member development working group to review the induction training provided to all independent persons and co-opted members. The panel believes that practical training will ensure that the work of these independent persons will be enhanced by a sound understanding of the objectives and responsibilities of the groups they join. In accordance with members training and allowances practice, the independent persons allowance shall be linked to all induction training being completed prior to fully taking up their positions on committees. It is also expected that the independent persons shall attend most of the meetings and when they can’t, an input through remote access or a written statement should be provided.  

        v.         Does not introduce a new allowance for the vice-chairpersons of council committees, at the current time. The Panel remain open to reconsidering this matter again, subject to Council agreeing to recommendation 6 below being completed;

       vi.         Review the post of vice-chairperson and a role description be added to the council’s constitution;

     vii.         Does not introduce a new allowance for the chairpersons of task and finish groups;

    viii.         Does not introduce a new higher rate allowance for the Chairperson of the Scrutiny Management Board;

       ix.         Continues to link the National Joint Council pay award with the basic allowance scheme, for the next four years; and

        x.         Subject to agreeing with recommendation 1, the allowances for Independent Persons and Co-opted members be also indexed linked to the National Joint Council annual pay award for the next four years.

Councillor Ivan Powell left the meeting at 10:30 a.m.