Issue - meetings

At its meeting held on 10 October, the Panel considered the principle of index linking increases in Members’ Basic Allowances (BA) and resolved, amongst other things, that 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 that all written submissions made by Members be reported to the Panel.

In accordance with the decision of the Panel of 10 October the views of Members are attached.  

At its meeting held on 10 October, the Panel considered the principle of index linking increases in Members’ Basic Allowances (BA) and resolved, amongst other things, that 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 that all written submissions made by Members be reported to the Panel.

In accordance with the decision of the Panel of 10 October the responses received from 8 Members of the Council were considered by the Panel.

RESOLVED: That

(1)      with regard to the comments made on the relationship between the Special Responsibility Allowances paid to the Chairs of the Planning and Licensing and Regulatory Committees and the Overview and Scrutiny and Audit and Governance Committees the Council is reminded that the Panel offered the current  scheme to the Council with the intention that the Council should have the flexibility to appoint Councillors to such of the Bands as the Council considers appropriate for their duties;

(2)      with regard to the comments made regarding the Mayoral Allowance, Regulations stipulate that all Members of the Authority should receive a Basic Allowance.  Accordingly, it would not be possible to withdraw the Basic Allowance from the Mayor; and

(3)      the Head of Governance and Civic Services be requested, on behalf of the Panel, to contact the 8 Members who submitted views on the Members’ Allowance Scheme to thank them for their input into the process.