Issue - meetings

Report of the Chief Legal and Democratic Officer

The Council considered the report of the Chief Legal and Democratic Officer that sought the views of the Council on decisions of the Independent Remuneration Panel in relation to the adoption of a Parental Leave Policy for elected Members; the payment of special responsibility allowances (SRA) to the Deputy Leaders of the Council; and seeking confirmation of the SRA for the Chair of the Planning Committee.

It was moved by Councillor Howard, seconded by Councillor Atkinson:

That:

(1)      (A)      the Parental leave Policy for elected members as set out in Appendix 1 to the report be approved; and

          (B)      the Audit and Governance Committee be authorised to determine any decisions on the application and interpretation of the policy;

(2)      the special responsibility allowance made to the Deputy Leader positions be 10% of the special responsibility allowance made to the Leader;

(3)      the position of Chair of the Planning Committee attract a special responsibility allowance of 100% of the basic allowance; and

(4)      the backdating of the allowances to the Deputy Leader positions and Chair of the Planning Committee to 16 May 2024 be approved.

An Amendment was moved by Councillor Lloyd-Johnson, seconded by Councillor Shaw that the Motion be revised as follows:

That the report be sent back to the Independent Remuneration Panel for clarification on the point of the potential double payment of SRA.

Following a debate on the Amendment the Chief Legal and Democratic Officer officiated a vote and the Mayor declared that the Amendment was lost by 7 votes to 45 with 5 abstentions.

On being put, the Original Motion was carried by 45 votes to 0 with 12 abstentions and it was:

RESOLVED: That

(1)      (A)      the Parental leave Policy for elected members as set out in Appendix 1 to the report be approved; and

          (B)      the Audit and Governance Committee be authorised to determine any decisions on the application and interpretation of the policy;

(2)      the special responsibility allowance made to the Deputy Leader positions be 10% of the special responsibility allowance made to the Leader;

(3)      the position of Chair of the Planning Committee attract a special responsibility allowance of 100% of the basic allowance; and

(4)      the backdating of the allowances to the Deputy Leader positions and Chair of the Planning Committee to 16 May 2024 be approved.