Issue - meetings

The report of the Chief Executive is attached.

Councillor Robinson introduced the report of the Chief Executive and highlighted that the Council was required by law to independently review the Members’ Allowance Scheme at regular intervals. He outlined the approach of the independent members of the Panel and welcomed the interesting benchmarking material contained in the appendices of the report. He believed that the Panel had taken consideration of the views expressed by individual councillors, and the background information provided, to reach a balanced view with regard to the Members’ Allowances Scheme. Councillor Mason seconded the proposal.

Councillor Plant considered the review to have been a thorough examination and, stated that whilst it is clear that individuals do not become local councillors for the money, it is imperative that the scheme of allowances does not deter potential candidates. She felt this had been achieved. Councillor S Mallender was also pleased to see that the allowances had not been reduced as she felt this would detrimentally affect people on low incomes becoming councillors. Councillor Jones considered the recommendations to present a fair and balanced allowances scheme.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)    the Panel’s report be noted and all of the Panel’s recommendations be adopted

b)    b) the Scrutiny SRAs proposed in paragraph 4.6 of this report for the year 2019/20 be included in the 2019/20 Member Allowances Scheme.