Issue - meetings

Received and noted this report introduced by the Divisional Director of Legal and Democratic Services.

Referring to paragraph 2.3(iii) of the report in respect of the proposal to replace the set allowance of the Deputy Chairs/Deputy Lead Members to an ad hoc meeting based payment, Councillor Twomey pointed out that members had reflected on the role and had concluded that if carried out correctly it amounted to more than simply deputising for the Chair at meetings. He further noted that this special responsibility allowance along with all other allowances had been frozen for the past two years.

Councillor Twomey moved that the special responsibility allowance payable to Deputy Chairs and Deputy Lead Members of £1571 should continue to apply.

Agreed:

1.  that no increase be applied to Members' basic and special responsibility allowances for the 2011/2012 municipal year, representing a freeze in allowance levels for the third year in succession;

2.  to incorporate the position of Independent Adviser to the PAASC in the overall Scheme and, in view of the current economic situation, to set the allowance payable for 2011/12 at £300 per meeting; and

3.  that the draft Members' Allowances Scheme for the 2011/12 municipal year attached to the report at Appendix A take effect from 19 May 2011 (the day after Annual Assembly), with the exception of the proposed change to the Mayor's Purse, which will take effect from 21 May 2011 (the day after the 2011/12 Ceremonial Council meeting), and subject to the continued payment of the Deputy Chairs' and Deputy Lead Members' special responsibility allowance of £1571.