Agenda item

Members Allowances 2009/2010

To consider the report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services

Council is requested to:

Consider the report of the Independent Remuneration Panel and resolve accordingly:-

(1) the levels of the allowances to be included in the 2009/2010 Members’ Allowances Scheme and whether, in that regard, the Panel’s recommendations should be adopted or modified in any way;

(2) whether to backdate the proposed increases to the Chairman of Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Resources and Performance Scrutiny Board from 9//9/08 and 16/9/08 respectively, the Chairman of Planning Committee from 15/5/08 and Chairman of Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee from 14/5/08 as the relevant dates when their responsibility increased.

(3) that the Head of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to prepare an amended Members’ Allowances Scheme, in accordance with the decisions of the Council for implementation with effect from 1 April 2009;

(4) that the Head of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to take all necessary action to revoke the current (2008/2009) Scheme and to publicise the revised Scheme pursuant to The Local Authorities (Members’ Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003 (as amended); and

(5) that the Independent Remuneration Panel be thanked for its thorough and detailed report.

Minutes:

Councillors Atack, Blackwell, Donaldson and Heath left the room for the duration of this agenda item.

Council considered a report of the Independent Remuneration Panel on the review of Members’ Allowances for the 2009/2010 financial year. It was proposed by Councillor Wood and seconded by Councillor Reynolds that the recommendations as set out in the report be agreed, with the inclusion of backdating as set out in recommendation two.

Resolved

1) That the level of allowances for 2009/2010 be agreed as proposed by the Independent Remuneration Panel as set out below:

Basic allowance payable to all Members	£4,155
Special responsibility Allowances (SRA)
Executive Members		£6,291
Leader of the Council (to which should be added the SRA as a Member of the Executive)		£7,209
Chairman of the Licensing Committee and Service Appeals Panel		£2,250
Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee		£3,702
Chairman of the Resources & Performance Scrutiny Board		£3,702
Chairman of Planning Committee		£4,200
Chairman of Standards Committee (Independent Member)		£1,296
Chairman of Personnel and General Committee		£1,296
Chairman of the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee		£2,250
Leader of the Opposition		£2,898
Co-optees Allowance		£831

The Carers’ Allowance continues to be paid at its current levels and on the basis that:- The allowance can only be claimed when an ‘approved duty’ is performed subject to the submission of receipts and, in the case of the childcare allowance, to that allowance not being paid to a member of the claimant’s household; The basis of the Carers’ Allowance be the actual cost incurred up to the maximum hourly rates set out below and to a maximum cap of 20 hours per month:- Childcare - £8 per hour Dependent Relative Care - £15 per hour
Subject to the notification of any adjustments later in the year, HM Revenues and Customs specified mileage rates of 24p per mile for motorcycles regardless of the cc and 40p per mile (with no tax implications) regardless of the cc of the motor vehicle be paid up until such time any revisions are notified by HM Revenues and Customs and the revised rates then be implemented;
The supplements relating to the payment of tolls and other parking charges continue to be paid;
Subject to the proviso detailed above, the HM Revenue and Customs specified rate of 20p per mile be paid for travel by bicycles and other ‘non-motorised’ forms of transport;
The travelling allowance payment for electric or similar specialised vehicles remain at £1.10 per journey regardless of the distance travelled (with no tax implications);
The specified occasions when Members travel otherwise than by their own vehicle continue to be included in the Allowances Scheme;
The subsistence allowances be paid at the levels index linked in accordance with the agreed formula; and

2) That the proposed increases be backdated to when their responsibility increased: Chairman of Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Resources and Performance Scrutiny Board from 9//9/08 and 16/9/08 respectively, the Chairman of Planning Committee from 15/5/08 and Chairman of Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee from 14/5/08.

3) That the Head of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to prepare an amended Members’ Allowances Scheme, in accordance with the decisions of the Council for implementation with effect from 1 April 2009;

4) That the Head of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to take all necessary action to revoke the 2008/2009 scheme and to publicise the revised scheme as required by legislation;

5) That the Independent Remuneration Panel be thanked for its thorough and detailed report.

Supporting documents: