Issue - meetings

The material relevant to this item is the report on pages 181 to 184 of the Cabinet agenda for 3 March 2020 and pages 115 to 146 of the Cabinet appendices for 3 March 2020.

The recommendations made by the Cabinet will be advised orally.

The Chairman welcomed and introduced Mr Pressdee, Mr Bevis and Mr Thompson who make up the council’s Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP). Mr Pressdee the IRP Chairman then outlined the methodology used by the Panel and referred members to the recommendations made on pages 4 and 5 of the agenda supplement for the Cabinet meeting of 3 March 2020. Mr Pressdee drew particular attention to the Carers Allowance recommendation to bring the amount in line with the West Sussex County Council Carers Allowance. He added that 25 out of 36 members had responded to the questionnaire sent out and the response to the time taken to carry out tasks had been considered in making the recommendations.

Mrs Apel questioned whether the Overview and Scrutiny (OSC) and Corporate Governance and Audit (CGAC) Chair’s should be given the same allowance.

Mr Brown referred members to a proposal which had been circulated in hard copy to members prior to the meeting. The proposal was as follows:

Council has considered the report of the Independent Remuneration Panel and in particular parts 3.13, 3.14 and 3.15. In light of the increased workload and time commitment required of councillors since boundary changes took effect in 2019 this council resolves to accept the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel except for 2.2 and 3.18.

Instead, the Council resolves to increase the Members Basic Allowance such that the total financial impact to the council and the tax-payer after the changes to councillor numbers and ward boundaries is cost-neutral.

Mr Brown emphasised that the proposal is cost neutral and would recognise the additional work of all members since the boundary changes and acknowledge those members who take annual leave to attend meetings.

Mr Moss seconded the proposal.

Mr Oakley requested clarification on where Chichester stands in relation to other council’s.

Several members referenced the need for allowances to allow the membership to be more widely representative.

Mrs Johnson wished to note her appreciation for the acknowledgement of carers.

Mr Johnson commented that the Leader of the Opposition and the Chair of Overview and Scrutiny if the same person can only receive one allowance which is less than a Cabinet member although he felt the work was equivalent.

Mrs Purnell reminded members that the allowance should not be viewed as a salary.

Mr Ward confirmed that the draft budget had not been reduced to reflect the reduction in membership from 48 to 36, and could therefore accommodate £35,400 for Mr Brown’s proposal.

Mr McAra drew attention to the Licensing Sub-Committee allowance which he explained is no longer relevant and should be removed.

Mrs Duncton explained that the work of the IRP should be supported given the research and time spent on carrying out the review.

Mr Johnson proposed that 3.23 be amended to state:

If the Leader of the Opposition is also the Chairman of Overview and Scrutiny Committee then the allowance shall match that of a Cabinet member.

The proposal was seconded by Rev Bowden.

Mr Pressdee in response to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 100

The Cabinet is requested to consider the agenda report and its appendices and makes the following resolution and any subsequent recommendations to Council:

That Cabinet considers the report of the Independent Remuneration Panel and advises the Council as to their recommendations.

*RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

That Council considers the report of the Independent Renumeration Panel.

Mr Wilding introduced the item. He explained that members of the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) were in attendance and would be attending the afternoon’s Council meeting. 

Mr Wilding outlined the process of deciding member’s allowances and explained that it is established by clear regulations backed by Government guidance.  He added that the approach requires detailed consideration of local circumstances and evidence factors. Following the boundary review it is clear that significant changes to the role of a Chichester councillor have taken place and these local changes have been particularly stark compared to the usual evolutionary changes which might apply from review to review.

He clarified the purpose of the review to provide accountability to the public that allowances are fair and appropriate and set proper recognition for the work of a councillor.

Mr Wilding confirmed that whilst the panel is appointed by councillors they have to be and are independent from the council and their assessment is the result of a significant effort in research. 

Mr Thompson who had been a member of the IRP was then introduced to members. Mr Thompson answered a point of clarification explaining that the rate of inflation is used as the starting point for considering the allowances.

Decision

The Cabinet then voted to make the following recommendation.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

That Council considers the report of the Independent Remuneration Panel.