Issue - meetings

Independent Remuneration Panel

Meeting: 26/09/2019 - Standards and Constitutional Oversight Committee (Item 15)

15 Membership of the Independent Remuneration Panel pdf icon PDF 109 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Director of Governance and Assurance introduced his report on the Membership of the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP). He informed that the ongoing review of the Council’s governance arrangements may result in the introduction of a different set of roles and responsibilities for Members. In the light of that, the Director asked the Committee to confirm postponement of the ongoing review of this Council’s Scheme of Members’ Allowances pending the agreement of any revised governance arrangements.

 

The Director of Governance and Assurance informed that discussion with Members had highlighted that the onset of any revised governance arrangements of whichever form they might take, was an ideal juncture at which to refresh the membership of the IRP and introduce fresh perspectives.  Moreover, whilst the Council was extremely grateful to the current IRP for the work that it had carried out, its membership had remained largely unchanged for a considerable number of years.  In order to maintain a robust IRP review process and to sustain a public perception of independence it was necessary that the membership of the IRP was refreshed from time to time. 

 

The Director informed that Government guidance suggested that the IRP’s membership should be refreshed every three to five years and the current IRP consisted of some very long serving members, with the exception of its Chair who was relatively new.

 

The Committee was also asked to consider whether any of the Panel members should receive an honorarium.  It was informed that currently, only the Chair received one in the sum of £500 per annum.

 

RESOLVED: That

 

(1)  pending any revised governance arrangements coming into effect, the Committee:

(a)  agrees to pause the current review of the Members’ Allowances Scheme;

(b)  agrees to refresh the membership of the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) in advance of requesting a new review of the Scheme of Members’ Allowances in respect of any revised Council governance arrangements; and

(c)  authorises the Head of Democratic and Member Services:

 

(i)  to advertise for candidates from the general public and a wide range of organisations, including the local business community and voluntary organisations, for up to five members of the IRP to serve for a period of four years and conduct the next review of Members’ Allowances;

 

(ii)  to separately recruit a Chair for the IRP as he or she will have a separate and distinct skill set and knowledge requirement; and

(iii)  to interview and recommend for selection (in consultation with Political Group Leaders) up to five nominees, including the Chair for appointment to the IRP;

(2)  the nominees for appointment to the IRP be subject to the Council’s approval;

(3)  an honorarium of £500 (no increase) be paid to the Chair of the Panel only, for a period of four years; and

 

(4)  the scope of the review of the Scheme of Members’ Allowances be comprehensive, taking into account any revision of governance arrangements.