This report provides the Committee with an update in respect to the work of the Independent Remuneration Panel and requests the Committee to refer to Council for decision a proposed change to the Members Allowances Scheme in respect to the Special Responsibility Allowances (SRA) for Group Leaders and in respect to the Basic Allowance for Members both to be implemented from the 2022 municipal year.

Resolved (55:1) (1 abstention) – That the Members Allowance Scheme be amended in respect to the level of Special Responsibility Allowance for Group Leaders and the Basic Allowance for all Members, as detailed in the report, effective following July 2022 Council Meeting.

The Panel was convened under The Local Authorities (Members’ Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003 (SI 1021). These regulations, which arise out of the relevant provisions in the Local Government Act 2000, require all local authorities to set up and maintain an advisory Independent Remuneration Allowances Panel to review and provide advice on Members’ allowances.

All councils are required to convene their Allowances Panel and seek its advice before they make any changes or amendments to their allowances scheme and they must have regard to the Panel’s recommendations before setting a new or amended Members’ Allowances Scheme.

The Panel met over the summer and autumn to consider two key issues at the request of the Constitution & Standards Committee, namely, the level of Special Responsibility Allowance (SRA) for Leaders and Deputy Leaders of Smaller Groups and the provision of an SRA for Vice Chairs of Committees. The Panel at their first meeting also determined that they wished to re-visit the issue of the level of basic allowance provided to Members given that the Committee system had been in place for over a year.

The Panel was not restricted when considering the options in relation to the format of the scheme or the amount of the Allowances that are being presented to the Council for approval. The Panel had regard to:-

· The Local Authorities (Members’ Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003

· The Government’s “Guidance on Consolidated Regulations on Members’ Allowances for Local Authorities in England”.

· A comparison of the level of Basic Allowances and Special Responsibility Allowances across Merseyside.

· The current Members’ Allowances Scheme for Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council.

· The results of the anonymous Member Survey

 · Job descriptions for the Leader, Deputy Leader, Chairs, Vice Chairs and Group Spokespersons as detailed in the draft Council Constitution.