Agenda item

To submit a report by the Head of Democracy.

Submitted – a report by the Head of Democracy on the IRPW’s draft proposals for 2024-25.

The Head of Democracy reported that the Council has until 8 December to respond to the IRPW’s consultation on the draft proposals, together with 6 other specific questions.  He requested that the Committee consider and comment on the draft proposals and authorise officers to respond in line with the Committee’s deliberations.

The Committee responded as follows: -

Question 1 - Uplift of remuneration using the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE)

The Head of Democracy reported that the proposed payments to elected members would increase by 6%, adding £50,000 to the cost, compared to the previous year.  He stated that senior officers, including the Section 151 Officer have accepted the proposed changes.

Question 2 - Local flexibility for payment to co-opted individuals

The Head of Democracy reported that the IRP proposes to provide local flexibility for relevant officers to pay co-opted members an hourly rate rather than the current half or full day’s pay.  He stated that the Standards Committee support the change, on condition that the extra work does not place an administrative burden on officers.  It was noted that financial remuneration for independent members has not increased since 2021/22 in line with other areas.

Question 3 – Encouraging sustainable travel

The Head of Democracy reported that the IRP has requested examples of good practice in terms of how the County Council encourages and supports sustainable travel.  He stated that the Council is committed to sustainable travel and participates by e.g. providing bike storage facilities; promoting the bike to work scheme; maps are being drawn up for members of the public to show how they can travel to the headquarters using public transport.

Question 4 – Awareness of the entitlements of representatives

The Head of Democracy reported that the IRP is seeking evidence of steps taken by the Authority to ensure that elected and co-opted members are aware of the allowances and expenditure they are entitled to claim.  He reported that the Council will share evidence of how it promotes awareness of entitlements e.g. the IRP’s final report will be presented to the full Council.  It was also noted that the IRP’S proposals are discussed in formal meetings twice a year, as well as in briefings in specific meetings.  The Council also has a page on its website explaining the entitlements of representatives.

Question 5 – Publication of consolidated sums for Community and Town Councils

The Head of Democracy reported that as this question relates to Community and Town Councils, the Council does not intend to respond to this question.

Question 6 – Publication of consolidated sums for other bodies

The Head of Democracy reported that the IRP are reviewing whether to consolidate some sums which are published according to individual members of Town and Community Councils.  He stated that the Panel proposes to combine travel expenses and working from home costs to only show the total amounts paid, in the hope of encourage more members to claim.

A member raised concern that consolidating expenses and allowances might relay the wrong impression and suggested that expenses continue to be shown separately.  The Head of Democracy responded that the intention of this proposal is to combine some of those additional costs, with members’ allowances being shown separately.  He reported that he would ask for confirmation regarding this matter as part of the Council’s response. 

RESOLVED that the Head of Democracy writes to the IRP with the Committee’s comments on the draft proposals, as noted below: -

Question 1 - To accept the proposals;

Question 2 - To accept the proposals and include the comments noted;

Question 3 – To accept the proposals and provide examples of good practice currently undertaken by the Council;

Question 4 – To accept the proposals and include comments noted on how the Council raises awareness of the entitlements of representatives;

Question 5 - N/A

Question 6 – To accept the proposal and request confirmation as to whether members’ allowances and expenses would be shown separately.