Agenda item

To consider a report from the Independent Remuneration Panel.

The Leader of the Council introduced the report and proposed its recommendation.  This was seconded by Cllr N Ireland.

Cllr N Ireland put forward the following amendment.

That part 5 (7.) of the Scheme of Allowances in the constitution be amended to read: -

“A dependent carers’ allowance paid to members of up to £11* per hour, i.e. actual expenditure incurred up to a maximum of £11 per hour, or in exception and by prior arrangement with the Service Manager for Democratic & Electoral Services invoiced expenditure above £11 per hour, will be paid for care of dependants, whether children, elderly people or people with disabilities, while a member is on Dorset Council business where travelling allowances are payable.”

The Leader of the Council confirm that he was supportive of the amendment and seconded the motion.

Upon being put to the vote the amendment was CARRIED.

Cllr B Quayle left the meeting at this juncture.

Decision (Substantive)

That the attached report and recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel, in respect of the review of allowances for co-opted and independent members, as set out in paragraph 8.2 of the Dorset Council Scheme of Members’ Allowances, and other matters reviewed, be adopted by Full Council and that the Panel be thanked for their work in arriving at the recommendations.

(a)           To increase the allowance for the Co-opted Members of the Police and Crime Panel (PCP) to £2,000 per annum in recognition of the significant role that they perform and the huge impact they have on the success or otherwise of the PCP.

(b)           To increase the retainer for the Independent Person appointed to contribute to the arrangements of promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct to £1,000 per annum and that any significant additional duties are agreed and remunerated at an hourly rate to be determined in the discretion of the Monitoring Officer.

(c)           To increase the allowance for the Co-opted Members of the Harbours Committee to £1,000 per annum to recognise the role performed outside of the formal meetings of the Committee.

(d)           To increase the allowance paid to Co-opted Members of the Overview Committee to £500 per annum on the basis that this might increase the likelihood of recruiting members to these positions.

(e)           To include an allowance within the Travel Allowances section of the Scheme to reimburse the cost of charging an electric vehicle and that this should be set at the same rate as for petrol and diesel vehicles.

(f)             That a consultation be undertaken of Dorset Councillors regarding the possible introduction of a policy for Parental/Adoption/Sick leave and that the response be considered as part of the Panel’s next fundamental review of the Scheme.

(g)           That part 5 (7.) of the constitution’s Scheme of Allowances be amended to read: -

“A dependent carers’ allowance paid to members of up to £11* per hour, i.e. actual expenditure incurred up to a maximum of £11 per hour, or in exception and by prior arrangement with the Service Manager for Democratic & Electoral Services invoiced expenditure above £11 per hour, will be paid for care of dependants, whether children, elderly people or people with disabilities, while a member is on Dorset Council business where travelling allowances are payable.”