Agenda item

To consider a report of the Independent Remuneration Panel recommending a revised Members Allowances Scheme (enclosed).

Members considered a report of the Independent Remuneration Panel recommending changes to the Members Allowances Scheme.

The current Members Allowances Scheme was agreed in 2007 and the relevant regulations state that schemes should be reviewed at least every 4 years by an Independent Remuneration Panel. Members are not required to agree with their recommendations, but to take them into account.

The Panel’s recommendations included the deletion of some allowances; a reduction in some other allowances: the introduction of a dependent carers allowance; and a suggestion that the potential for a merging of the Overview and Scrutiny and Audit Committees be considered.

Members were broadly in agreement with the proposal but expressed concern at the suggestion of the merging of the two committees.

It was moved by the Executive Leader Councillor Peter Goldsworthy and seconded by the Deputy Leader, Councillor Ken Ball and RESOLVED –

1.1  To define a medium Group as between 6 and 12 Members and to propose an Allowance of £1848.30 for their Leader (previously the amount was not specified). 

1.2  To define a small Group as between 2 and 5 Members and to propose an Allowance of £924.15 for their Leader (previously £1848.30). 

1.3  Secretary allowances: to delete all secretary allowances as these are viewed as a political role.

1.4  Chair of the Equalities Forum: not to pay this allowance where it is held by an Executive Member (previously £1414.40).

1.5  Vice-Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee: To reduce to £1414.40 in line with other Vice-Chair allowances.

1.6  To continue to increase allowances in line with any annual officer pay increases. 

1.7  To continue to increase travel and subsistence allowances in line with officer payments. 

1.8  To introduce a dependant carers allowancebased on the following conditions:

To be payable when a Councillor is undertaking “Council approved duties” according to Chorley Council guidance notes on approved duties:

• For the independent care of a child, who is resident with the Councillor, aged 15 years and under

• For the professional care of a dependant relative. A dependant relative is defined as where the Councillor is the main carer and one of the following categories apply:

• Elderly relative requiring constant care,

• Disabled relative requiring constant care,

• Relative with learning disabilities requiring constant care

Qualifying Situation

• The child or foster child of a Councillor (one payment per household in the case of a spouse or partner)

• Dependant relative of a Councillor (one payment per household in the case of a spouse or partner)

Rates of Payment

National Minimum Wage, unless there were specific circumstances.

1.9 To recommend that Members should not be able to join the Local          Government Pension Scheme. 

2.         That in relation to considering a merger of the Overview and Scrutiny and Audit Committees, a report be drawn up for consideration by the All Party Leaders Liaison Group for consideration and a further report to Council for decision.