Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Governance Lead Officer.

Note:- In accordance with the Shadow Council Procedure Councillor Mrs L Smetham attended the meeting and spoke on the following item of business.

The Committee considered a report of the Governance Lead Officer regarding a members allowance scheme for the shadow period. In accordance with the Cheshire (Structural Changes) Order 2008 Cheshire County Council’s members’ allowance scheme was applied to Cheshire East Council. However, the order included the power to amend or revoke the scheme. Both the Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester Joint Committees had requested that the County Council’s Independent Remuneration Panel review the scheme. Cheshire County Council’s current members allowances scheme, as well as the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel were attached to the report.

The recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel were based on the current political management scheme. However, there was scope for development of the members allowance scheme. The Council would need to consider a policy on the payment of one or more Special Responsibility Allowance (SRA) to members. The Council would also have to consider whether the members allowance scheme should be applied retrospectively to the beginning of the financial year.

It was noted that Council would need to consider the appointment of its own Independent Remuneration Panel to consider and advise on the scheme of allowances to apply from Vesting Day for 2009-2010 and beyond.

The Committee discussed the perception of the public with regard to the payment of allowances to members and the workload and responsibilities of members during the shadow period.

RESOLVED – 1. That the report be deferred to the next meeting of the  Committee

2. That the Governance Lead Officer submit a report to the next meeting on the appointment of an Independent Remuneration Panel for Cheshire East Council.