Issue - meetings

(a)      That the Committee considered and commented on the Determinations made by the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales in their draft Annual Report for 2024/25.

(b)      That the Head of Democratic Services be authorised to make a response on behalf of the Council, reflecting the decision and comments made at the meeting, to the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales.

(c)     That the Head of Democratic Services issued Question 4 of the consultation document to all elected Members and co-opted members for them to respond to individually.

The Democratic Services Manager presented the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW) draft Annual Report and explained that it had been circulated to all Local Authorities and Town & Community Councils in Wales. The report provided a summary of the main points within the Annual Report, as the IRPW had responsibility for setting the proposed rates of payment for elected and co-opted members of Welsh Local Authorities for 2024/25. Information was provided on the basic increase to £18,666 for Members from the 1April 2024, and the table at point 1.03 in the report highlighting the other changes proposed. All salaries had been reviewed under the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings Scheme (ASHE) with affordability and co-optee payments their focus for this year. The suggested changes were highlighted at point 1.06 in the report with all other determinations such as travel and care costs remaining the same. An overview of the changes to the reporting mechanisms for Town & Community Councils was also given.

The Democratic Services Manager then referred to the resource implications and commented that any Member who did not wish to accept the increase was being asked to write to him directly. Point 1.10 of the report included information on the questions being asked by the IRPW with background information highlighted for members. In conclusion the Democratic Services Manager explained that views were sought from the Committee prior to the Council submitting a response to the IRPW by 8 December 2023. The IRPW were required to consider any representations made on the draft report before issuing the final report in February 2024.

Councillor Ted Palmer had concerns around the peer pressure for Members in accepting this increase and reported on his attendance at a North Wales Association of Local Councils meeting where IRPW representatives were in attendance. When asking them the same question it was confirmed that they were not legislated to impose this increase but local authorities could lobby Welsh Government to change the situation. He asked how the authority lobbied the government to change the process.

In response the Democratic Services Manager confirmed it was possible to contact the relevant Minister within Welsh Government but it was also suggested that this was included as part of the feedback to this report.  If this view was expressed across all Councils in Wales, then it would be included in the feedback report.  He also agreed to contact the WLGA to ascertain if they had received similar feedback.

Councillor Palmer referred to peer pressure and asked if it was known if there was any political point scoring pressure applied as some people may rely on and need the increased allowance.  The Democratic Services Manager confirmed that there was a theme and wording within the report which reflected that.  The IRPW were trying to encourage and increase diversity within Councils and the Councillor remuneration could be the only income for some Councillors.  This was a personal individual decision and should not be a pressured decision.

Councillor Antony Wren commented that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17