Agenda item

 (Mr S Wiggett and Mrs S Addis, Members of the Independent Member Remuneration Panel, were present for this item)

(1)          The Chairman moved and the Vice-Chairman seconded the following motion:

(a)  there should be no changes to the Members’ Allowance Scheme for 2015/16 but the County Council is asked to note the Panel’s views about the introduction of indexation from 2017;

(b)  the County Council be recommended to formally adopt the scheme as set out in Appendix 2 to this report; and

(c)  the views of the Panel requested by the political group leaders on the tax liability for home to office journeys made by elected members during the period 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2013 be noted.

(2)          Mr Carter moved and Mr Simmonds seconded the following amendment:

In place of the published recommendation (a), (b) and (c) insert:

(a)  The County Council thanks the Remuneration Panel for its report. It requests the Remuneration Panel recommend an indexation scheme to the July meeting of the County Council for implementation  beginning with the financial year 2016/17;

(b)  the County Council be recommended to formally adopt the proposed Members’ Allowances scheme as set out in Appendix 2 to this report for one year; and

(c)  While noting the observations of the Panel, as detailed in “(c)” of the original motion, the Council agrees to follow the recommendations of the Section 151 Officer; it being noted that the Selection and Member Services Committee would be discussing the matter at a meeting the following day with the Section 151 officer present to enable him to clarify his advice to Members.  .

(3)          Following a debate the Chairman put the amendment set out in paragraph (2) above to the vote and the vote cast were as follows:

For (43)

Mrs A Allen, Mr M Angell,  Mr M Balfour, Mr A Bowles, Mr D Brazier, Mr R Brookbank, Miss S Carey, Mr P Carter, Mrs P Cole, Mr G Cooke, Mrs M Crabtree, Mr A Crowther, Mrs V Dagger, Mr M Dance,  Mr T Gates, Mr G Gibbens, Mr R Gough, Mr M Harrison, Mr M Hill, Mrs S Hohler, Mr S Holden, Mr P Homewood, Mr E Hotson, Mr A King, Mr J Kite, Mr R Long, Mr G Lymer, Mr S Manion,  Mr M Northey, Mr P Oakford, Mr J Ozog, Mr R Parry, Mr C Pearman, Mr L Ridings, Mr C Simkins, Mr J Simmonds, Mr C Smith, Mrs P Stockell, Mr B Sweetland, Mrs C Waters, Mr J Wedgbury, Mrs J Whittle, Mr A Wickham

Against (36)

Mr M Baldock, Mr R Bird, Mr H Birkby, Mr N Bond, Mrs P Brivio, Mr L Burgess, Mr C Caller, Mr I Chittenden, Mr B Clark, Ms J Cribbon, Mr G Cowan, Mr D Daley, Mrs T Dean, Dr M Eddy, Mr J Elenor, Mrs M Elenor, Ms A Harrison, Mr M Heale, Mr C Hoare, Ms S Howes, Mr G Koowaree, Mr R Latchford, Mr T Maddison, Mr B MacDowall, Mr F McKenna, Mr B Neaves, Mrs E Rowbotham, Mr W Scobie, Mr T Shonk, Mr D Smyth, Mr A Terry, Mr N Thandi, Mr R Truelove, Mr M Vye, Mr M Whybrow, Mrs Z Wiltshire

Abstain (0)

Amendment carried

(4)          The Chairman declared the substantive motion to be carried without a formal vote.

(5)          RESOLVED that

(a)  the Remuneration Panel be thanked for its report and that they be requested to recommend an indexation scheme to the July meeting of the County Council for implementation  beginning with the financial year 2016/17;

(b)   the proposed Members’ Allowances scheme as set out in Appendix 2 to this report be adopted for one year; and

(c)  While noting the observations of the Panel, as detailed in “(c)” of the original motion, the Council agrees to follow the recommendations of the Section 151 Officer; it being noted that the Selection and Member Services Committee would be discussing the matter at a meeting the following day with the Section 151 officer present to enable him to clarify his advice to Members.