Purpose

To
present to Full Council the conclusions and recommendations of the
Joint Independent Renumeration Panel (JIRP) in respect of its
review of the current Members’ Allowances Scheme, with any
changes to be implemented from April 2025.

Decision

RESOLVED – That Full Council be
recommended:
 
1.  That the report
and recommendations of the Joint Independent Remuneration Panel
(JIRP) at Appendix A be noted.
 
2. That the recommendations of the JIRP,
summarised in section 2, detailed in Appendix A, with the
amendments as detailed in section 5.2 of the report (Option C) to
be implemented with effect from 1 April 2025 be
approved.
 
3. That the rates set out in the Members’
Allowances Scheme to be indexed annually from 1 April 2026, and
that the indexation be linked to the average pay award percentage
for Council Officers, with the exception of the SRA for Cabinet
Members which will remain frozen until the next JIRP review be
approved.
 
4. That the allowances for the Mayor and Deputy
Mayor be increased as recommended at 2.13 of the report with effect
from 1 April 2025 be approved.
 
5. That the Director of Finance, Policy and
Development (s151 Officer\) be authorised to make the necessary
amendments to the Council’s Members’ Allowances Scheme
be approved.
 
6. That appreciation be given for the work of the
JIRP over the past two months in producing its final report and
recommendations be noted.
 
REASON FOR DECISION:  To
comply with the requirement to undertake a full review of Member
Allowances every four years.