Decision details

Further to Minute No. 7 (2) of the meeting held on 6 June 2012, the Panel considered the principle of index linking increases in Members’ Basic Allowances (BA).

Following deliberations on the proposals, Councillors Brodie-Browne and Papworth (the Liberal Democrat and Conservative Group Leaders respectively) attended the meeting and made verbal representations to the Panel on the Members’ Allowance Scheme.  The views of Councillor P. Dowd, who was not present at the meeting, were also relayed to Panel Members.  Following their submissions, Councillors Brodie-Browne and Papworth left the room to enable the Panel Members to formulate their recommendations.

RESOLVED: That

(1)      in view of the short/medium term uncertainty of public sector finances, the index linking of increases in Members’ Basic Allowances be not approved;

(2)      a further meeting of the Panel be held at 11.00 am on Wednesday, 12 December 2012 at Bootle Town Hall to formulate recommendations for submission to the Council on the Members’ Allowance Scheme for 2013/14;

(3)      to aid the Panel in the formulation of its recommendations, a report be submitted to the meeting on 12 December detailing relevant inflationary changes;

(4)      all Members of the Council be invited to submit their written comments to the Head of Governance and Civic Services on the level of the Basic Allowance and the relativity of the Bands relating to Special Responsibility Allowances; and

(5)      all written submissions made by Members be included in the report to the Panel.