Issue - meetings

Report of the Director of Legal and Business Services.  Under the Local Government (Members Allowance) (England) Regulations 2003, local authorities are required to have Independent Remuneration Panels for the purpose of reviewing their schemes of Members' allowances. Southampton City Council is required to review its scheme by 19 November 2022 at the latest and have regard to the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel before adoption of a new one.

Report of the Director of Legal and Business Services.  Under the Local Government (Members Allowance) (England) Regulations 2003, local authorities are required to have Independent Remuneration Panels for the purpose of reviewing their schemes of Members' allowances. Southampton City Council is required to review its scheme by 19 November 2022 at the latest and have regard to the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel before adoption of a new one.

It was agreed to modify the recommendations with a new (iii) recommendation, details below. 

RESOLVED:

(i)  After having regard to the recommendations of the Independent Renumeration Panel as set out in the Panel’s report, not to accept the recommendations except in respect of (a) the proposed dependant carer’s allowance and (b) to remove the members IT allowance and adopt a core Members Allowance Scheme based on the current scheme from 8th May 2023.

(ii)  To sincerely thank the members of the Independent Renumeration Panel for their work in reviewing the Members’ Allowance Scheme.

(iii)  To freeze Members’ Allowances in 2023/24. 

Report of the Director of Legal and Business Services.  Under the Local Government (Members Allowance) (England) Regulations 2003, local authorities are required to have Independent Remuneration Panels for the purpose of reviewing their schemes of Members' allowances. Southampton City Council is required to review its scheme by 19 November 2022 at the latest and have regard to the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel before adoption of a new one.

The Committee received and noted the report of the Director Legal and Business Services detailing the Members’ Allowance Scheme and the requirement to review the scheme by 21^st November 2022 and have regard to the recommendations of the Independent Renumeration Panel before the adoption of a new scheme.

The Committee noted that the Lord Mayor’s Role did not come with a special responsibility allowance under the regulations, however given the magnitude of the role and it not just being a ceremonial one, but the role also chaired Full Council and acted as arbitrator on decision making regarding questions, motions etc that it should receive renumeration in the form of a special responsibility allowance.

The Committee noted the report would be considered by Full Council on 16^th November 2022 and that all political groups would be reflecting on the discussions of the Committee at their group meeting ahead of Full Council where the decision regarding Members’ Allowances would be taken.