The Head of Democratic and Member Services introduced the report of the Director of Law and Governance, which provided an update in respect to the work of the Independent Remuneration Panel and requested the Committee to refer to Council for decision a proposed change to the Members Allowances Scheme to incorporate a Special Responsibility Allowance for the Independent Member of the Audit and Risk Management Committee.

Members were advised that the proposal was for the Independent Member of the Audit and Risk Management Committee to receive a Special Responsibility Allowance of £30 per meeting or 3 hours to align with that already received by the Independent Members of Constitution and Standards Committee. Furthermore, an update was provided on the work of the Independent Remuneration Panel, where it was reported that the Panel had held a further meeting to consider the Special Responsibility Allowance for leaders of smaller groups and the potential for a Special Responsibility Allowance for Vice-Chairs. An additional meeting in October 2021 was to be scheduled and it had been hoped that a resolution would be made at that meeting in order for the Panel’s recommendations to be reported back to Constitution and Standards Committee in November 2021.

Resolved – That

(1)  the Independent Remuneration Panel’s recommendation to amend the Members Allowance Scheme to include a Special Responsibility Allowance for the Independent Member of the Audit and Risk Committee be referred to Council.

(2)  the progress made to date by the Independent Remuneration Panel be noted and that a further update report, including any further recommendations made by the Panel, be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee.