To consider the attached report of the Portfolio holder for Finance, Governance and People.

(Attached pages 51 to 64)

The Council considered a report of the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Governance and People and noted a change to the recommendations by the Portfolio Holder, tabled at the meeting.

The recommendations set out in the report were replaced by  recommendations as follows:-

1.                  that, subject to paragraphs 2 and 3 below, the Members’ Allowances Scheme attached as Appendix A to the report be adopted by the Council for the financial year 2011/12;

2.                  that the Basic and Special Responsibility Allowances contained in paragraph 3 and Schedule 1 to the Scheme be reduced by 2%;

3.                  that the mileage rate payable to Councillors who use their own vehicles on Council business be set at the HMRC rate (currently 40p per mile) and that Schedule 3 of the Scheme be amended accordingly;

4.                  that in accordance with Regulation 19 of the Local Authorities (Members’ Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003, the Independent Remuneration Panel be consulted about this proposed amendment to the Scheme and that the proposed reductions be implemented with effect from 1 April 2011, unless the Independent Remuneration Panel recommends otherwise;

5.                  that a meeting of the Independent Remuneration Panel be convened in the summer of 2011 to review the Scheme and submit a report to Council.

The recommendations were moved by Councillor M Jones and seconded by Councillor Stay.

Clarification was provided that the proposed review by the Independent Remuneration Panel in the summer of 2011 would be to prepare for the Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2012/13. Consultation would be undertaken with the Panel immediately regarding the proposed 2% reduction in Basic and Special Responsibility Allowances.

Councillor Graham moved an amendment to the motion, which was duly seconded by Councillor D Jones. The amendment was:

·        at recommendation 2 set out  above, add after “2%”  the words “and Special Responsibility Allowances by 10%”;

·        at recommendation 5 set out above delete the words “in the summer of 2011 to review the Scheme and submit a report to the Council” with “as soon as possible to review the Scheme.”

A vote on the amendment was taken by show of hands, which was declared to be lost.

RESOLVED

1.                  that, subject to paragraphs 2 and 3 below, the Members’ Allowances Scheme attached as Appendix A to the report be adopted for the financial year 2011/12;

2.                  that the Basic and Special Responsibility Allowances contained in paragraph 3 and Schedule 1 to the Scheme be reduced by 2%;

3.                  that the mileage rate payable to Councillors who use their own vehicles on Council business be set at the HMRC rate (currently 40p per mile) and that Schedule 3 of the Scheme be amended accordingly;

4.                  that in accordance with Regulation 19 of the Local Authorities (Members’ Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003, the Independent Remuneration Panel be consulted about this proposed amendment to the Scheme and that the proposed reductions be implemented with effect from 1 April 2011, unless the Independent Remuneration Panel recommends otherwise;

5.                  that a meeting of the Independent Remuneration Panel be convened in the summer of 2011 to review the Scheme and submit a report to Council.