Report To:	Council	24 September 2015
Lead Officer:	Legal and Democratic Services Manager

Appointment to the Independent Remuneration Panel

Purpose

For Council to agree membership of the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP)

This is not a key decision, however, Council is required to appoint an IRP under the provisions of the Local Authorities (Members’ Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003.

Recommendations

It is recommended that Council:

re-appoints Kevin McIntyre as a member of the Independent Remuneration Panel for a 3-year term of office, with an expiry date of 31 July 2018, and

confirms that the level of expenses paid to the individual members of the Independent Remuneration Panel be no more than £200 each per financial year, with the final amount payable to be agreed by the Executive Director in consultation with the Leader of the Council.

Reason for Recommendation

Council is required to make appointments to its IRP under the provisions of the Local Authorities (Members’ Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003 and agree payment to the members of that Panel for their services.

Background

On 25 July 2011 Council agreed to appoint the following persons to form an IRP:

Graham Jagger for a 2-year term of office, with an expiry date of 31 July 2013 (on 25 July 2013 Council re-appointed Mr Jagger for a further 3-year term of office, expiring on 31 July 2016)

Simon Harris for a 3-year term of office, with an expiry date of 31 July 2014 (on 25 September 2014 Council re-appointed Mr Harris for a further 3-year term of office, expiring on 31 July 2017)

Kevin McIntyre for a 4-year term of office, with an expiry date of 31 July 2015

Mr McIntyre’s has indicated a willingness to serve a further term on the Panel, subject to Council approval.

Considerations

Council is requested to consider the recommendations made to re-appoint Mr McIntyre as an IRP member, together with the level of monies payable to the Panel members for consideration of Members’ allowances for 2016/17, depending on the level of investigation deemed appropriate by the Council.

Options

Council can either:

agree the recommendation

make a variation to specific elements of the recommendations, or

reject the recommendations

Implications

In the writing of this report, taking into account financial, legal, staffing, risk management, equality and diversity, climate change, community safety and any other key issues, the following implications have been considered:

Legal

Council is required to appoint appropriate persons to form an Independent Remuneration Panel to consider Members’ Allowances.

Consultation responses (including from the Youth Council)

Consultations were not required in this instance.

Effect on Strategic Aims

Not applicable.

Background Papers:	Council reports, 21 July 2011, 25 July 2013 and 25 September 2014

Report Author:	Graham Watts – Democratic Services Team Leader

Telephone: (01954) 713030