Agenda item

To consider the recommendations of the Constitution Committee of 24 March 2011.

Consideration was given to the recommendations from the Constitution Committee in respect of the Cheshire East Council Scheme of the Members Allowances; following a mid year review by the Independent Remuneration Panel. 

RESOLVED:  

1          The Cheshire East Scheme of Members’ Allowances should make provision for the Independent Remuneration Panel to review, on an annual basis, the current Scheme’s allowances and recommend whether any adjustments were appropriate;

2          The level of Basic Allowance for 2011/2012 should not be increased and remain at the same level awarded in the Scheme of Members’ Allowances for 2010/2011; 

3          Except as provided for in recommendations 4 (a) - (c) in respect of the role of Vice-Chairmen, the level of remuneration in respect of Special Responsibility Allowances, Subsistence Allowances, Co-opted Member Allowance, Dependent Carer’s Allowance, Broadband/Line Rental fees and Members’ Surgery fees for 2011/2012 should not be increased and remain at the same level awarded in the Scheme of Members’ Allowances for 2010/2011; 

4a       Special Responsibility Allowances for the post of Vice Chairman be retained within the Scheme of Members’ Allowances for 2011/2012;

4b       The role of Vice Chairman of Constitution Committee and Vice Chairman of Audit and Governance Committee be included in the Schedule of Special Responsibility Allowances appended to the 2011/2012 Scheme of Members’ Allowances;  

4c        A Special Responsibility Allowance of £1,000 per annum be awarded to the Vice Chairman posts included in Schedule 1 of the 2011/2012 Scheme of Members Allowances, with an additional £50 payable for each meeting chaired up to an accumulated maximum total of £1,500 per annum;

5a        The role of Chairman of Constitution Committee and Chairman of Audit and Governance Committee be included in the Schedule of Special Responsibility Allowances appended to the 2011/2012 Scheme of Members’ Allowances ;

5b&c  A gearing equivalent to 0.65 of Basic Allowance be applied to the post; the position to be kept under review; 

6         The level of Travel Allowances for 2011/2012 should not be increased and should remain at the same level awarded in the Scheme of Members’ Allowances for 2010/2011; except for car mileage rates which are to remain linked to the amounts payable to officers in accordance with the National Joint Council for Local Government Agreement; 

7          No Special Responsibility Allowance be allocated to the Chairman or Members of Cheshire and Wirral Joint Health Scrutiny Committee at this time; the position to be kept under review;     

8          No Special Responsibility Allowance be payable to Cheshire East Councillors appointed to the Cheshire Pension Fund Committee;   

9          No Special Responsibility Allowance be payable to Cheshire East Councillors appointed to the Borough’s Local Area Partnerships at this time; the position to be kept under review; 

10        A payment of up to £50 per four hour session or part thereof be paid to School Appeal Panel Co-opted Members attending appeal meetings or associated training on receipt of proof from their employer that a loss of income had been incurred as a direct result of the performance of their duties on the Panel; and      

11        The following wording be inserted into the 2011/2012 Scheme of Members’ Allowances –

“The Council has introduced a Pension Scheme for Members as provided under Section 7 of the Superannuation Act 1972 and in accordance with the statutory regulations and guidance issued by the Local Government Pensions Committee and the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).  Under the Council’s Scheme, elected Members of Council are entitled to join the LGPS, providing they meet the eligibility criteria; contributions to be calculated on the Basic Allowance payable and any Special Responsibility Allowance whilst the Member is in receipt of such Allowances.”