Report No. 206/2017 was received from the Director for Resources, the purpose of which was to consider the timing and scope of a review of Members’ Allowances.

Mrs Mogg, Director for Resources and Monitoring Officer, gave a brief introduction to the report highlighting that the last time Council had considered Members Allowances, no decision had been taken as to when the next review should take place.  Should Council decide to approve the recommendations in the report, they were simply committing to undertake a review, the decision on whether to accept the recommendations of the independent remuneration panel would be the subject of a further report which would be brought before Council for decision.  The level of allowances may be a factor in attracting new Councillors to the role and so it was considered appropriate to undertake the review in advance of the Council elections in 2019.

Mr Mathias moved the recommendations in the report and Mr Hemsley seconded the recommendations.

During debate of the recommendations points raised included:

1. Mr Clifton expressed that it was only worthwhile paying for the review if the recommendations of the panel were to be given serious consideration.  Something should be done to encourage younger Councillors to the role;
2. Miss Waller confirmed that there had been several changes to members since the last review and that a review now may be considered differently by members;
3. MrConde requested clarification on paragraph 2.8 of the report that there would definitely be a workshop for all members to hear about the panel’s role and how the review would take place.  Mrs Mogg confirmed that this was standard practice and would be arranged; and
4. MrBool highlighted that any increase in allowances may encourage people to stand at the next election and reminded members that they could take the decision not to receive their allowance should they so wish.

RESOLVED

1)    To APPROVE that the Welland Remuneration Panel is commissioned to undertake an independent review of Members’ Allowances as per the terms of reference at Appendix A of Report No. 206/2017; and

2)    To APPROVE a budget of £2,000 in 2018/19, to be funded from the general fund, for the cost of the review.