Agenda item

Report No: COU/SA/19/006

The Shadow Council considered the above report, which presented the Report of the West Suffolk Independent Remuneration Panel. 

Agreement had previously been given by the Shadow Council to appoint a new West Suffolk Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP).  The IRP’s principal responsibility was to recommend a Scheme of Allowances for West Suffolk Council.  The process undertaken by the IRP to draw together a proposed scheme was set out in Section 2 of Report No: COU/SA/19/006.

The work of the IRP had now concluded and it was pleased to present its draft report, as attached as Annex A.  The following appendices were also attached to Annex A:

Appendix 1: proposed Members’ Allowances Scheme

Appendix 2: supporting material considered by the IRP to aid their work

Appendix 3: Councillor remuneration questionnaire

Appendix 4: comparative rates of allowances across other similar authorities

Richard Cooper, Chair of the West Suffolk Independent Remuneration Panel, was in attendance and was invited to present the report of the Panel.  The rationale behind the proposals was also provided.

Councillor Ruth Bowman, one of the Shadow Executive (Cabinet) Members with the responsibility for Future Governance, drew relevant issues to the attention of the Shadow Council, including placing her thanks on record to Mr Cooper for the presentation of the IRP’s comprehensive report and for the extensive work of the Panel in reaching this point.

Councillor Bowman emphasised that the review of the Scheme of Allowances undertaken by the IRP was not about comparing past Forest Heath and St Edmundsbury schemes, but to develop a scheme which provided appropriate remuneration and expenses to enable those councillors elected on 2 May 2019 to perform their role as new West Suffolk Councillors. 

Whilst the review looked to the past for background, it had taken external reference and comparators, sought views from existing Members, and brought forward new concepts to the proposed scheme, such as introducing a tiered approach to Special Responsibility Allowances (SRA), and a single all-encompassing basic allowance payment.

Members also noted the rationale from the Panel regarding the proposed timeframe for implementation of the Scheme as set out in Section 10 of its report (Annex A).  A sensible and pragmatic approach had been taken for the new scheme to take effect from 6 May 2019 (when the term of existing councillors would end) rather than from 1 April 2019 when West Suffolk Council was created. Until this point, Members would continue to receive the rate they currently received under Forest Heath District and St Edmundsbury Borough Councils’ existing schemes. Members were supportive of this approach.

Councillor Ruth Bowman moved the recommendations, as set out in Report No: COU/SA/19/006, and the motion was duly seconded by Councillor Carol Bull.

A detailed discussion was held with Members acknowledging the extensive work of the IRP. Particular recognition was given to:

(a)     that the new Scheme would deliver a total saving of £30,566 (or 5.7%) to the Council compared to existing costs;

(b)     that mileage and expenses incurred for Members’ work within their wards had been recognised;

(c)     the proposal to review the scheme after one year, so that the IRP could assess whether the scheme was operating effectively; and

(d)     the tiered approach to setting SRAs and the all-encompassing basic allowance (rather than separate broadband payments for example).

Councillor David Nettleton proposed an amendment to the substantive motion, which was duly seconded by Councillor Julia Wakelam.  The amendment, which proposed changes to the basic allowance, SRAs and removing the linkage to uplifting the basic allowance to align with the annual pay award provided to the majority of Council staff, together with the rationale behind his proposed revisions, had been previously circulated by email to all Members and was also tabled for ease of reference.  Councillor Nettleton also drew attention to the likelihood of Members’ increased workload as a result in the reduction in overall numbers of councillors from 72 to 64.

A debate ensued on the amendment; however the majority of Members expressed concern that Councillor Nettleton’s proposals had been made without sufficient evidence to support his revisions.  The proposed revisions to pay a separate broadband allowance and not to uplift the basic allowance in line with any staff annual pay award were particularly not supported.

Upon being put to the vote, the amendment was defeated.

The debate continued on the substantive motion, which upon being put to the vote was duly carried.

RESOLVED:

That:

(1)     the Scheme of Members’ Allowances, be agreed and recommended to West Suffolk Council for adoption, as stated in Appendix 1 to the West Suffolk Independent Remuneration Panel’s Report (Annex A to Report No: COU/SA/19/006); and

(2)    the proposal by the West Suffolk Independent Remuneration Panel to implement the new Scheme of Allowances at 6 May 2019, and until that point, continue to pay Forest Heath District Councillors and St Edmundsbury Borough Councillors at the rates they currently receive from Forest Heath and St Edmundsbury respectively, be agreed.

(Mr Richard Cooper, Chair of the Independent Remuneration Panel, left the meeting at the conclusion of this item.)