The Democratic Services Manager invited nominations for the election of the Chairman of the Independent Remuneration Panel.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 14 March 2006 (enclosed).

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 March 2006, as circulated, were approved and signed as a correct record.

To consider the report of the Democratic Services Manager (enclosed).

Considered – The report of the Democratic Services Manager relating to the review of Members Allowances.

The Democratic Services Manager reminded the Panel that they had undertook to review the allowances for Chairman and Vice Chairman of Development Control Committee and consider index linking the Special Responsibility Allowances.  She advised that she had also contacted all elected Members to establish if there were any other areas which they wished the panel to consider and the responses received were detailed in Appendix 2 to the report.  She also advised that two further representations had been received from Cllrs P.N. Fox and G.L Welsh which were circulated.

Cllr J.L. Weatherstone attended the meeting to provide information in relation to her role as Chairman of Development Control Committee.  Cllr P.N. Fox attended  the meeting to present his representation to the panel.

The Panel requested information from the Democratic Services Manager, with regard to other authorities procedure in relation to the payment of more than one Special Responsibility Allowance.  She advised that 6 of the comparison authorities paid only one SRA to a member and if they were entitled to more than one they would only receive the higher SRA, 1 authority paid upto to 2 SRA’s and 1 other paid the higher SRA in full and 50% of the second.  Information was also requested in relation to other authorities and payments to group leaders which was provided.