Issue - meetings

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services informed Members of the contents of the Annual Report issued by the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW) concerning the payment of Members’ Allowances for the Council year 2014/15.

The first change in the Annual Report was to increase basic allowance from the current £13,175 p.a. to £13,300 p.a..  Given the modest relaxation in the constraints on public sector pay this year, the Panel had decided to increase the basic allowance by less than 1% from spring 2014.

Notwithstanding the response received to consultation, the IRPW was implementing the proposal to give more local flexibility in relation to payments to the Civic Head and Deputy.  The final report would leave it to the choice of Councils as to which of the three bands it would apply, details of which were contained in the report.

Councillor Aaron Shotton moved the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Kevin Jones.

Councillor Clive Carver asked for clarification on the provision of adequate telephone and email facilities without cost to the individual Member and whether that meant devices should be provided free of charge or whether Members were to submit a claim and be reimbursed.  The Head of Legal and Democratic Services said he would seek clarification if the IRPW whether it had a view on this.

RESOLVED:

That the Annual Report of the IRPW be noted.