Decision details

The Director of Resources & Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report for Committee to consider the report of the independent remuneration panel on members’ allowances following their review of the current scheme, and to make recommendations regarding the new scheme to Full Council.

The Council was required to agree and publicise its members’ allowance scheme each year and undertake an independent review at least every 4 years.

The independent panel had conducted interviews with seven Councillors, and reviewed details of members allowances schemes from 11 other Lancashire District Councils. The full report of the panel was included with the report which set out their findings and full recommendations. The panel had concluded that overall the existing Members’ Allowance Scheme was a fair reflection of Councillor duties and responsibilities however, proposed that the Special Responsibility Allowances (SRA) be amended to include an allowance for the leader of each political group where the group had a minimum of 5 members or more. The Council’s budget for 2023/24 was £262,350 and the proposed recommendations would result in an additional SRA of £6,180 to group leaders.

Committee were asked to consider the recommendations in report in order for the new Member’s Allowance scheme to be agreed at the Full Council meeting on 11 July 2023. Once the Council had approved the Scheme it would make arrangements for its publication as set out in the report.

*** RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

1.     Agree the Members’ Allowance Scheme recommended by the Independent Panel.

2.     Recommend to Council the revised Scheme for Members Allowances as set out in the report.

3.     Thank the Independent Remuneration Panel for their work in formulating proposals for the revised scheme.