AGENDA ITEM 16

BOROUGH OF POOLE

COUNCIL

27 SEPTEMBER 2011

APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REMUNERATION PANEL ON MEMBERS’ ALLOWANCES: REPORT OF THE HEAD OF LEGAL AND DEMOCRATIC SERVICES

1. PURPOSE

1.1 To consider Membership of and appointment to an Independent Remuneration Panel on Members’ Allowances to recommend a scheme of Members’ Allowances from April 2012 to 31st March 2016.

2. DECISIONS REQUIRED

2.1 To delegate appointment of the Independent Remuneration Panel on Members’ Allowances to the Head of Legal and Democratic Services in consultation with Group Leaders.

2.2 Nominations to be sought from the local community,noting(as detailed in the Regulations) the need for knowledge of local government but the requirement of political independence.

3. BACKGROUND/INFORMATION

3.1 Council is required, under the Local Authorities (Members’ Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003 and the Local Authorities (Members’ Allowances) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 to appoint an Independent Remuneration Panel to make recommendations to the Council on a scheme of Members’ Allowances for adoption.

3.2 A scheme is for a four year period and, although subject to Council approval, may be amended at any time should the Panel so recommend.

3.3 The Chair of the Council’s current Panel, Mr Don Latham, a former Chief Executive and Local Government Consultant, is still willing to serve on the Panel should the Council so wish, but a number of the other Panel Members are either retired, moved from the area or no longer wish to serve on the Panel.

3.4 The Panel has benefitted from the input of Mr Latham as his knowledge of the role of an elected Member from his employment of Chief Executive is very useful. Mr Latham chairs a number of Panels in the south west.

3.5 Should the Council agree to refresh the Panel at this early stage it will allow time for the Head of Legal and Democratic Services, in consultation with Group Leaders, to source candidates from those sections of the Community identified in order that a panel, reflecting the make-up of the Community may be appointed in good time to have an understanding of the complex role of a Local Authority Member.

3.6 It is proposed that the Panel takes written evidence and presentations, considers Members’ Allowance schemes from other similar Authorities, National Guidance and, in due course, will make recommendation to Council in February 2012 in order that a new scheme may be in place from 1st April 2012.

3.7 Any Members’ Allowance Scheme adopted by the Council has to be advertised in one local newspaper.

4. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

4.1 In the current economic climate no budgetary provision for an increase in Members’ Allowances has currently been made. Council would consider any recommendation from the Panel bearing in mind the current budgetary situation.

5. EQUALITIES IMPLICATIONS

5.1 Although account is taken of the voluntary element of Members’ duties (current National Guidance is 33.5% of the total of Member Allowances paid) it is acknowledged that the role of a Local Authority Member carries a further major workload.

5.2 Allowances should be at a level so as not to deter all eligible sections of the Community from choosing to stand for election as a Councillor.

6. LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

6.1 The Council is obliged to adopt a scheme of Members’ Allowances in accordance with Local Authorities (Members’ Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003 as amended. The existing scheme comes to an end in March 2012 and a new one should be adopted to be in place before that time.

7. CONCLUSION

7.1 It is hoped that early establishment of a Panel will allow time for all elected Members and interested parties to submit evidence for the Panel to consider before making a recommendation on a new scheme to a future Council.

Tim Martin, LLB Solicitor

Head of Legal and Democratic Services

Contact Officer:

Pauline Gill

Democratic Services Manager

Tel: 01202 633043

Email:

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