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

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 20 November 2007 (enclosed).

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 November 2007, as circulated, were approved and signed as a correct record.

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

Considered – Report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The Democratic Services Manager informed the Panel that a full review of the Members’ Allowances Scheme was required to take place, as the last full review had taken place in 2005.

The Democratic Services Manager also informed the Panel that she had attended a meeting with the Director of Operations regarding Members’ I.T. provision, and that a report in respect of this subject would be going to Cabinet Executive later on in the year for Cabinet’s consideration.

A late letter submitted by Cllr. P.N. Fox, in respect of the review of Scheme, was circulated to the Panel at the meeting.

Following discussions by the Panel, the Panel requested further information in respect of the areas of the Scheme detailed below:

1. The level of Basic Allowance payable in line with a review of payment of Allowances for Members of Licensing-Sub Committees, and attendees on Development Control site-visits.

2. The Allowances for Leaders of the Opposition Groups, and Chairman & Vice-Chairman of Scrutiny Commission.

3. Allowances for Member Champions.

4. Allowances for Chairman and Independent & Parish/Town Council Members of the Standards Committee.

5. Allowances for Chairmen of Licensing & Regulatory Committees.

6. Members’ Travel Scheme.

7. Members’ Subsistence Scheme.

8. Financial provision within the Members’ Allowances Scheme for Members’ I.T. Facilities.

The Panel agreed to meet again in October 2008 to consider any information gathered in respect of items 1  to 7 (above) and to meet in early 2009 to consider in greater detail item 8 (above) once this issue has been considered by Cabinet Executive later in the year.

The Panel were also minded to make the following initial recommendations in respect of the review of the Scheme:

1. That no changes be made to the following Special Responsibility Allowances:

·         Leader of the Council;

·         Deputy Leaders of the Opposition;

·         Members of the Cabinet Executive (excluding the Leader of the Council);

·         Chairman of Development Control Committee;

·         Vice-Chairman of Development Control Committee.

2. That the Deputy Leader of the Council payment be merged with the Deputy Leader Cabinet Executive Member Special Responsibility Allowance.

3. That no changes be made to the Dependant Carers Allowances.

4. That index-linking of the Basic Allowance, Special Responsibility Allowances and Pensions continues.

The Panel will review these recommendations at its meeting to be held in October, once it has had the opportunity to consider those areas of the Scheme it has requested to review further; and at that same meeting consider what recommendations to make in respect of the Members’ Allowances Scheme for consideration by Council in December 2008.