Issue - meetings

Report by the Director of Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer

The Independent Remuneration Panel was asked by the Director of Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer to provide early recommendations on two specific matters:

i)          The payment of Special Responsibility Allowances (SRAs) to the Leaders and Shadow Cabinet Members of the two equally sized opposition groups recognised as the official opposition, following the May 2025 elections.

ii)         The application of allowances for councillors taking parental leave, following the adoption of a new policy on 8 July 2025.

The Council is RECOMMENDED to consider the Interim Report of the Independent Remuneration Panel, and in so doing to consider the following options, either:

a)        To adopt the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel on the Special Responsibility Allowances for the recognised Opposition Group(s) as set out in Annex A to this report; OR

b)        To agree alternative values for any of the allowances, as the Council may determine; OR

c)        If the Council does not wish to accept the Panel’s recommendations at this time, in whole or in part, or to substitute alternative amounts, to agree a status quo Scheme of Allowances for 2025/26 for any unchanged aspect;

d)        To agree the Independent Remuneration Panel’s recommendation that basic and any Special Responsibility Allowances (SRAs) should continue to be paid to any councillor taking parental leave in accordance with the Parental Leave Policy approved by Council on 8 July 2025.

Recommendations a) and d) approved with 56 votes in favour, none against and 3 abstentions.

The Independent Remuneration Panel had been asked by the Director of Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer to provide early recommendations on two specific matters:

(i)           The payment of Special Responsibility Allowances (SRAs) to the Leaders and Shadow Cabinet Members of the two equally sized opposition groups recognised as the official opposition, following the May 2025 elections.

(ii)          The application of allowances for councillors taking parental leave, following the adoption of a new policy on 8 July 2025.

Council had the interim report on these matters for consideration.

Recommendations a) and d) were proposed by Councillor Leffman and seconded by Councillor Fawcett, Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council.

Following discussion, an electronic vote was taken.  Recommendations a) and d) were approved with 56 votes in favour, none against and 3 abstentions.

RESOLVED:

a)    To adopt the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel on the Special Responsibility Allowances for the recognised Opposition Group(s) as set out in Annex A to this report; and

d)   To agree the Independent Remuneration Panel’s recommendation that basic and any Special Responsibility Allowances (SRAs) should continue to be paid to any councillor taking parental leave in accordance with the Parental Leave Policy approved by Council on 8 July 2025.