Issue - meetings

1.               The report of the Independent Remuneration Panel be formally received following its review of the Council’s existing Members’ Allowances Scheme.

2.               That thanks be expressed to the panel for all of their work and time dedicated to the review.

3.               Resolved to recommend the approval of the changes to the Members’ Allowances Scheme as recommended by the Independent Remuneration Panel in its report.

1.               The report of the Independent Remuneration Panel be formally received following its review of the Council’s existing Members’ Allowances Scheme.

2.               That thanks be expressed to the panel for all of their work and time dedicated to the review.

3.               Resolved to recommend the approval of the changes to the Members’ Allowances Scheme as recommended by the Independent Remuneration Panel in its report.

Reason for Decision

To formally receive the proposals of the Independent Remuneration Panel 2016 for a revised Scheme of Members’ Allowances.

Corporate Objectives

The role of Local Councillor is a major part of Dacorum Borough Council’s delivery of an efficient, effective and modern Council.  As such the remuneration that councillors receive should reflect this central role and assist in attracting the calibre of Council Member the residents of Dacorum deserve.

Monitoring Officer/S.151 Officer Comments

Monitoring Officer: 

This report was written in consultation with the Solicitor to the Council as Monitoring  Officer and his comments have been incorporated with the report.

Deputy S151 Officer:

The recommendations contained within the report can be met from the proposed budget for 2017/18.

Advice

Councillor Williams welcomed L Evans, Chair of the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP). He explained that the council was required to have an independent panel. Member’s allowances had been frozen since 2009 even though the panel had recommended increases. The report suggested a modest increase in order to catch up with the Hertfordshire average.

L Evans felt that councillors should not suffer financial hardship and therefore recommended a 2.1% increase.

Councillor Griffiths thanked the panel for their work and supported the recommendations. She noted that she did vote against the previous recommendations to increase the allowances, however now was the time to acknowledge the IRP work and accept their recommendations.

Councillor Marshall agreed with the recommendations. She too had declined the increase over the past few years and said it was embarrassing to vote for an increase for oneself. However it needed to be increased to make it fairer for current and future councillors.

Councillor Williams explained that the Hertfordshire average was significantly different and it would seem that not everyone had frozen the allowances over the years.

He suggested that an additional recommendation be included to thank the panel for all their work and time dedicated to the review.

Voting

None.