Issue - meetings

This report outlines the annual review of the Members Allowance Scheme undertaken for 2023/2024.

Council RESOLVED:

(1)    To approve the Members Allowance Scheme in the proposed terms set out within the report for the 2023-24 Financial Year.

(2)    To authorise the Corporate Director of Governance to comply with the statutory requirements to publicise the Council’s Members’ Allowance Scheme.

Moving on, the Mayor then invited Councillor Muhammed Butt, Leader of the Council, to introduce the report from the Corporate Director of Governance which sought approval to the proposed Members Allowance Scheme for the 2023-24 financial year.

In introducing the report, the Leader outlined the background to the proposed inflationary uplift in the level of basic, special responsibility an civic allowances for 2023-24 recommended as an outcome of the current review along with the proposal to undertake a further review of allowances payable under the Scheme, following the outcome of an additional review being undertaken by the Independent Remuneration Panel over the course of the next year.

As no members indicated they wished to speak, and Councillor Muhammed Butt had confirmed he did not need to exercise his right of reply the Mayor then put the recommendations in the report to the vote and they were unanimously declared CARRIED.

Council therefore RESOLVED:

(1)    To approve the Members Allowance Scheme in the proposed terms set out within the report for the 2023-24 Financial Year.

(2)    To authorise the Corporate Director of Governance to comply with the statutory requirements to publicise the Council’s Members’ Allowance Scheme.

This report outlines the annual review of the Members Allowance Scheme undertaken for 2022/2023.  As part of the review Full Council is also being asked to consider updating the provisions included within the Scheme for councillors with dependants, maternity, paternity, adoption and sickness payments.

Council RESOLVED:

(1)     To approve the changes to the Members’ Allowance Scheme proposed in Appendices 1 and 2 of the report which update and clarify the Council’s support for councillors with caring responsibilities in relation to a) dependants’ carers’ allowance and b) maternity, paternity, adoption and sickness pay.

(2)     To make a Members Allowance Scheme in the proposed terms set out in this report for the Financial Year 2022/23.

(3)     To note that a further detailed review of the level of allowances payable under the Scheme will be undertaken by Constitution Working Group following which further changes to the Scheme may be recommended to Council.

(4)     To authorise the Director of Legal, HR Audit & Investigations to comply with the statutory requirements to publicise the Council’s Members’ Allowance Scheme.

Moving on, the Mayor then invited Councillor M Butt, Leader of the Council, to introduce the report from the Director of Legal, HR, Audit & Investigations which sought approval to the proposed Members Allowance Scheme for the 2022-23 financial year.

In introducing the report, Councillor M Butt advised that as agreed for the current year, no annual uplift had been recommended to the level of basic, special responsibility or civic allowances contained within the Members Allowance Scheme for 2022-23.  This was on the basis that the level of basic allowances were in line with the suggested rate identified within the most recent Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) review.  Whilst no changes had been proposed to the Special Responsibility Allowances (SRA) payable under the Scheme, members noted these would be subject to further review during 2022-23 following the local election.  The report also detailed the outcome of a review undertaken on the current provisions included within the Members Allowance Scheme relating to Dependants’ Carers’ Allowance and Maternity, Paternity, Adoption and Sickness Pay and changes being proposed as a result.  Members were advised that the changes identified had been designed to reflect best practice and ensure the offer in Brent was consistent with that provided elsewhere, provide more clarity and support councillors in being able to participate in the democratic process. 

As no members indicated they wished to speak, the Mayor then put the recommendations in the report to the vote and they were unanimously declared CARRIED.

Council therefore RESOLVED:

(1)    To approve the changes to the Members’ Allowance Scheme proposed in Appendices 1 and 2 of the report which updated and clarified the Council’s support for councillors with caring responsibilities in relation to a) dependants’ carers’ allowance and b) maternity, paternity, adoption and sickness pay.

(2)    To make a Members Allowance Scheme in the proposed terms set out in the report for the Financial Year 2022/23.

(3)    To note that a further detailed review of the level of allowances payable under the Scheme would be undertaken by Constitution Working Group following which further changes to the Scheme may be recommended to Council.

(4)    To authorise the Director of Legal, HR Audit & Investigations to comply with the statutory requirements to publicise the Council’s Members’ Allowance Scheme.