Agenda item

CM 54/22         

Consideration was given to a report that set out the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel resulting from their review of the Scheme of Members’ Allowances.

In discussion the following points were raised:

(a)    A Member queried whether this was the right time for the Scheme of Members’ Allowance to be reviewed.  In response, whilst the point was acknowledged, unfortunately the ability to automatically adjust the Basic Allowance to a prescribed index had now been in place for the maximum period permissible (five years) and a Review was therefore required.  As part of the Review, it had become apparent that the  Basic Allowance that a West Devon Borough Council Member was entitled to claim was amongst the lowest in the South West region. In addition, the rural nature of the Borough resulted in Members travelling lengthy distances despite car mileage rates not increasing, so the proposed increase in the Basic Allowance would also help to offset rising fuel costs. Finally, it was stated that, with the forthcoming local elections in May 2023, the Council was looking for a range of candidates to stand and that, by offering an increase in the Basic Allowance may help to compensate those prospective candidates who were in employment for earnings lost whilst they were engaged in Council business;

(b)    In light of the additional responsibilities and time commitments placed upon Members of the Development Management and Licensing Committee, a Member felt that it would be appropriate for them to each be entitled to claim a Special Responsibility Allowance.  Since this matter had not been raised prior to the Panel sitting earlier in the month, it was agreed that this issue should be raised as part of the next scheduled review in the Autumn of 2023;

(c)    In light of the Civic Allowance having been retained at the same level for a number of years, an addition to the recommendation was PROPOSED and SECONDED as follows:

“That the Head of Paid Service write to the Panel requesting it reconsiders the Civic Allowances payable to the Mayor and Deputy Mayor and report back to a meeting of Full Council prior to the Review due in Autumn 2023”

And when put to the vote, this addition was declared CARRIED.

It was then proposed by Cllr N Jory, seconded by Cllr C Edmonds and upon being submitted to the Meeting was declared to be CARRIED and ”RESOLVED that:

1. the recommendations of the Independent Panel on Members’ Allowances (as presented at paragraph 3 of the presented report) be agreed and that the revised draft Scheme of Members Allowances (as shown at Appendix C of the presented report) be adopted with immediate effect, with any consequent increases in Allowances being backdated to 1 May 2022; and

2. The Head of Paid Service write to the Panel requesting it reconsiders the Civic Allowances payable to the Mayor and Deputy Mayor and report back to a meeting of Full Council prior to the Review due in Autumn 2023.”