Purpose

To consider the report of the Independent
Remuneration Panel on Members’ Allowances 2025/26

Content

Agreed:
 
RECOMMENDED
to Council that:-
 
(1) 
the basic structure and principles of the current
Members’ Allowances scheme be retained for
2025/26;
(2) 
the principle that any Member qualifying for more
than one Special Responsibility Allowance (SRA) is paid the higher
allowance only, be retained;
(3) 
the Councillors’ Basic and Special
Responsibility Allowances including the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord
Mayor’s Expenses Allowances, continue to be linked and
updated in line with the national pay awards applied to staff
(under the Green Book arrangements) for the previous year, (a lump
sum payment of £1,290 was agreed for the period 2024/25
effective from April 2024). As this was a lump sum rather than a
percentage increase across the board the Panel considered that it
was appropriate to use the median percentage pay increase for
Exeter City Council staff of 4% as a benchmark for the Basic
Councillor Allowance;
(4) 
the principle that Special Responsibility Allowances
be paid to no more than 50% of the overall number of Councillors
continue to be kept under review and adhered to where
possible;
(5) 
the current Dependants’ Carers’
Allowance scheme be maintained, with the continuation of the level
of allowance matching the hourly Living Wage as applicable from
April of each year. In the case of Members who need specialist care
for a child or adult dependant, a higher rate, of up to £25
per hour or part thereof, can be agreed by negotiation in advance
with the Democratic Services Manager;
(6) 
the sum of £50 be paid to the Independent
Persons affiliated to the Audit and Governance Committee for up to
four hours work, and £100 for four hours and over, payable to
each of the two Independent Persons (up to a maximum of £500
per person in any one year) be retained; and
(7) 
travel and subsistence allowances available for
staff continue to apply to Exeter City Councillors, where
appropriate.
 
Reason for Decision: As set
out in the report.