In the absence of the Chairman, the Senior Democratic Services & Scrutiny Officer invited nominations from the Panel Members for the election of the Chairman for this meeting only.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 29 March 2023 (enclosed).

The minutes of the meeting held on 29 March 2023 as circulated, were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Elected Members will be asked to leave once all representations have been heard to allow the Panel to determine it’s recommendations)

Members considered representations from Cllr. Terry Richardson (Leader of the Council and Conservative Group) and Cllr. Nick Brown (Leader of the Labour Group).

The Panel also considered three written representations received from:

·         Cllr. Luke Cousin – on behalf of the Liberal Democrat Group

·         Cllr. Matt Tomeo – Equalities Champion

·         Cllr. Les Phillimore - Housing, Community & Environmental Services Portfolio Holder

Scope of work for the Panel:

• Review of all Special Responsibility Allowances (SRA)
• SRA payments to Member Champions – currently Youth Champion, Equalities Champion, Green Champion, Armed Forces Champion. The Panel will also consider role profiles for the Member Champions.
• Agree whether there is a limit on the number of SRA’s received per person
• Review of opposition group SRA’s

An invitation was sent to all Councillors inviting them to provide any representations for the Panel to consider.  Two verbal representations were provided to the Panel as well as 3 written representations.

General Representations:

·         Commitment required in terms of time and responsibility, combined with volume of work load has increased hugely over the last 10 years for Cabinet members.

·         Almost impossible to have good succession planning

·         Councillors should be compensated, but they are having to give up earning/working.

·         Current Cabinet now 5 instead of 6 – lack of people who can do the role due to the commitment and impact of that. Need to treat it as a job, no longer a wellbeing volunteer.

Representations given on the SRA:

·         The level needs to compensate for doing the job to make it possible for them to do the job.  Affordability not MP’s

·         Is subject to Tax

·         Massive disparity between County and District Councils

·         Reduced to 36 members and number of residents increased to 2400-2800- per councillor

·         Struggling to find new Councillors - Is it due to remuneration?

·         Not about money but compensation for what Members give up

·         Cost of living also impacts on Councillors

·         The Basic Allowance is not far from the average paid

·         Two Group Leaders expressed the view that the current Leader of the Council role remuneration was very low for the amount of work and responsibility. Both recommended an allowance in the region of £20,000 plus

·         That the Deputy Leader allowance should be increased

·         Different views expressed on the Leader of Opposition allowance ie: if over 5 members or only if registered with the Electoral Commission

·         Different views on number of SRA’s – from unlimited to 2 SRA limit to ensure one person doesn’t get all jobs, to test capabilities of people.

·         Chair of Licensing allowance not required

·         Allowance for Chair and VC may need to be looked at

·         Champions do have different roles/responsibilities - Youth well defined others less so, Equality and Diversity should be a more active role.

·         Consider an allowance for Whip.

·         Should note that all Cllrs are subject to being sacked by electorate, degree of uncertainty for those in work