Issue - meetings

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It was moved by Councillor Prendergast, seconded by Councillor Sir Ron Watson and unanimously

RESOLVED:

Members’ Allowances

The Leader of the Council will know that those Elected Members who resigned the Labour Whip and sat for a period as Independents refused to participate in the full workings of the Council by deciding not to accept positions on the Council’s Committees.

Committee work is a critical part of the responsibilities of all Councillors and there is no precedent in the history of Sefton for Members taking the position that has been outlined.

Whilst those concerned at the time were prepared to undertake what can best be described as ‘Ward work’ deciding to absent themselves from a clear element of responsibility can best be described as a dereliction of duty and is not in the best interests of their constituents.

One element of Members’ Allowances clearly reflects the need to play a full part in the work of a Councillor and in these circumstances would the Leader of the Council agree to make representations to the Local Government Association to give Local Authorities the authority to reduce the Members’ allowance in cases such as this to reflect the concern at the lack of full involvement in the responsibilities Members should accept when elected.

There is no current provision within the regulations set nationally to allow this level of local discretion based on circumstances such as those outlined which is why representations to the LGA represents the best way forward in terms of granting Councils the ability to make their own decisions in this area.

Therefore, this Council resolves:

·       to ask the Leader of the Council to make representations to the Local Government Association that they raise this issue at a national level.

·       To ask the Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State to request a review of the current regulations around Member’s Allowances so that Local Authorities have greater discretion in being able to reduce payments to those Members who have been allocated committee places but refuse to take them up.