Issue - meetings

Report of the Director of Commissioning

The Director of Commissioning introduced the report which set out the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) in relation to members’ allowances.  The panel had specifically considered the new scrutiny arrangements effective from May 2012, the new Standards arrangements effective from July 2012 and ICT support for members’. 

A member drew attention to the special responsibility allowances (SRAs) for Planning Committee chair and vice-chair where the SRAs paid by Cheltenham Borough Council seemed much lower than other councils.  Another member commented that decisions made by the Planning Committee could have long term implications and therefore the role was very important.

A member commented that the average of four hours per week for the new Chair of O&S referred to in paragraph 2.14 of the panel’s report did seem quite conservative but could only be reviewed once a suitable time had elapsed. Another member felt that more information was needed in the report to explain why the allowances had been set at these levels as in a similar situation officers would not accept any reduction in their pay without this information.

The Leader wished to put on record their thanks to the IRP for their work and he felt Council should be morally obliged to accept the panel’s recommendations. He noted that the future of members ICT was somewhat in limbo whilst a review of ICT was being carried out. 

The Mayor felt it was wrong that councillors chose to come late to council meetings, leave early or not show up at all and she felt that should be taken into account and allowances should then be paid at the end of the year.

Voting CARRIED with 2 abstentions.

Upon a vote it was CARRIED with 2 abstentions

RESOLVED that

1. The recommendations of the IRP (summarised in part 5 of the report) be approved for adoption.

2. The Director of Commissioning be authorised to implement any necessary changes to the scheme of allowances and the Borough Solicitor and Monitoring          Officer be authorised to make any necessary changes to the Council’s constitution.