Issue - meetings

(Mrs Fiona Leathers, Chairman of the Independent Remuneration Panel was in attendance for this item)

(1)       The Chairman welcomed Mrs Fiona Leathers to the meeting for this item.

(2)       Mrs Leathers stated that the Remuneration Panel had been very pleased with the overall response to the submission of annual reports by Members this year, with some 82 out of 84 reports being submitted to the Panel before its meeting on 8 May. The remaining two Members had not submitted their reports on time due to sickness. She added that the quality of the annual reports had improved each year and the Group Leaders had expressed their support and enthusiasm for the continuation of the process. Mrs Leathers also stated that the Panel would be carrying out further work later in the year to make further improvements to the format of the annual report and the written guidance on the completion of annual reports. She also added that the Panel had approved the principle of a role description for all Members, which would feature as part of the revised Members Allowances Scheme. The role description sought to describe in simple and brief terms the key activities and roles of elected Members.

(3)       During discussion, Mr Sass undertook to investigate what further assistance could be offered to Members in the completion of their annual reports, including meeting attendance statistics and details of the spending of their Member grants. Mr Sass was also asked to ensure that the Members’ Annual reports featured prominently on the website.

(4)       Mrs Ahmed suggested that the Remuneration Panel’s report to the Standards Committee, which in turn featured in the Committee’s Annual Report to the County Council, should include a synopsis of where the Members’ grant money has been spent.

(5)       Resolved that the report of the Remuneration Panel be noted.