Agenda item

To receive a report containing the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel which undertook a Review of Rushmoor’s Members Allowances Scheme (copy attached – Annex 1).

The Leader of the Council (Cllr D.E. Clifford) introduced the Report by the Independent Remuneration Panel which had undertaken a review of Members’ Allowances Scheme, involving a fundamental examination of each element of the Scheme.   The new Scheme proposed in the Report reflected the Panel’s view in the light of information provided, representations made by Members and benchmarking data from other authorities.   It was MOVED by Cllr D.E. Clifford and SECONDED by Cllr P.G. Taylor that the Council adopt the proposals set out in the Independent Remuneration Panel’s Seventh Report. 

During discussion, it was MOVED by Cllr Gaynor Austin and SECONDED by Cllr K. Dibble – That the following Amendment be made to the proposed Members’ Allowances Scheme:

“That the Council adopts the proposals, as set out in the Independent Remuneration Panel’s Seventh Report, subject to:

(i)        the current Members’ basic allowance remaining unchanged but be updated in line with the annual percentage pay increase given to Rushmoor’s employees and be updated annually, as set out in the report: and

(ii)       no increase to Special Responsibility Allowance payments be made until the next review by the Independent Remuneration Panel.”

Following debate, the Amendment was put to the meeting.  On a Recorded Vote there voted FOR:  Cllrs Gaynor Austin, C.W. Card, Jules Crossley, K. Dibble, Christine Guinness, Nadia Martin, T.W. Mitchell, M.J. Roberts, Sarah Spall and the Deputy Mayor (Cllr C.P. Grattan) (10); AGAINST: Cllrs A. Adeola, J. Belbase, J.B. Canty, Sue Carter, M.S. Choudhary, D.E. Clifford, P.I.C. Crerar, P.J. Cullum, A. Gani, M. Hope, L. Jeffers, Prabesh KC, Mara Makunura, S.J. Masterson, Marina Munro, A.R. Newell, M.L. Sheehan, M.D. Smith, P.G. Taylor, M.J. Tennant, N. Thapa, S. Trussler and Jacqui Vosper (23); ABSTAINED: The Mayor (Cllr J.H. Marsh) (1) and the Amendment was DECLARED LOST.

Following further debate, the Recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel were put to the meeting.  On a Recorded Vote there voted FOR: Cllrs A. Adeola, J. Belbase, J.B. Canty, Sue Carter, D.E. Clifford, P.J. Cullum, A. Gani, M. Hope, L. Jeffers, Prabesh KC, Mara Makunura, S.J. Masterson, Marina Munro, A.R. Newell, M.L. Sheehan, M.D. Smith, P.G. Taylor, M.J. Tennant, N. Thapa, S. Trussler and Jacqui Vosper (21); AGAINST: Cllrs Gaynor Austin, C.W. Card, Jules Crossley, K. Dibble, Christine Guinness, Nadia Martin, T.W. Mitchell, M.J. Roberts, Sarah Spall and the Deputy Mayor (Cllr C.P. Grattan) (10); ABSTAINED: Cllr M.S. Choudhary and The Mayor (Cllr J.H. Marsh) (2) and the Recommendations were DECLARED CARRIED.