Agenda item

To consider the following recommendations from the Cabinet meeting on 5 April 2016:

CAB153 Report of Scrutiny Structures and Policy Development Task Group

CAB154 Review Of Members Allowances

CAB156 Strategic Land Acquisition - King's Lynn

Councillor Daubney proposed the recommendations from the Cabinet meeting on 5 April 2016, which were seconded by Councillor Beales:

With regard to CAB153: Report of Scrutiny Structures and Policy Development Task Group, Councillor J Collop expressed concern about the recommendation 12 in the minutes, which he considered left opposition members with no other way to have things discussed, particularly if they had no representation on the body.  He was disappointed that no Chair or Vice Chair positions were being offered to opposition members in the recommendations.

Councillor McGuinness informed Council that he would vote against the recommendations following the removal of the opposition majority role at Cabinet Scrutiny Committee, and no offer of chairmanships because the opposition still needed to hold the Administration to account. 

Councillor Joyce said he would vote against the recommendations because he considered that every member, not just opposition members  should be able to place items onto an agenda for discussion.

Councillor Beales commented that the Administration were keen to involve the Opposition and that even if they did not have to have a representative on the particular body to put an item forward, the recommendation was that the Opposition could put an item forward for discussion on the agenda.  He reminded Members that this had been introduced to take into account of Opposition concerns.  Councillor Beales also reminded Members of the introduction of the Panels choosing their own Chairs and Vice-Chairs which gave the opportunity for any Member of the Panel who was good enough to potentially be appointed. 

In summing up, Councillor Daubney explained that at the previous Annual Council meeting proportionality had been restored across the Panels, it had been widely acknowledged that scrutiny wasn’t working, Members should participate in the scrutiny process and make their points known, he also reminded Members that the recommendation 12 had been introduced to take into account concerns raised by Councillor J Collop.  He considered that the recommendations were a genuine attempt to improve the scrutiny process.

Councillor Joyce wished for his vote against to be recorded for the reason that he considered all members should be able to place items onto an agenda.

On being put to the vote the recommendations were agreed.

With regard to CAB154: Review Of Members Allowances Councillor McGuinness moved the following amendment which was seconded by Councillor J Collop.  Councillor McGuinness commented that he had moved the amendment following the comments of the staff received on the proposed increases when staff had been awarded 1%, whereas the proposal was for an 8% increase.   He stated that his preference would be for a 0% increase:

i)                 In respect of report of independent panel, amending the public services discount figure in 6.1.1. from 20% to 25.6%, the overall effect of which will result in a 1% increase to the members basic allowance (from £5,140 to £5,191)

ii)                The rest of the members allowances scheme being amended as per the table below, to ensure that all special responsibility allowances are linked to the members basic allowance (and therefore to a formula as recommended by the independent panel).

iii)              That the formula at 6.1.1 of the independent panel report is maintained in future years to ensure that the members allowances scheme is linked to staff pay awards.

Councillor Daubney urged Members to reject the amendment reminding them that there had been ample opportunity to attend either the Independent Panel or the Resources and Performance Panel to put a point of view.  He reminded Members that the matter hand been called in to Cabinet Scrutiny for consideration. 

Councillor McGuinness, with the required number of supporters requested a recorded vote on the amendment as follows:

The Amendment was lost.

Councillor McGuinness proposed a further amendment as follows:

i)                 In respect of report of independent panel, amending the public services discount figure in 6.1.1. from 20% to 22.6%, the overall effect of which will result in a 5.05% increase to the members basic allowance (from £5,140 to £5,191)

ii)                The rest of the members allowances scheme being amended as per the table below, to ensure that all special responsibility allowances are linked to the members basic allowance (and therefore to a formula as recommended by the independent panel).

iii)              That the formula at 6.1.1 of the independent panel report is maintained in future years to ensure that the members allowances scheme is linked to staff pay awards.

In proposing his amendment Councillor McGuinness stated that there had been 5 occasions in the last 8 years where staff had been awarded a 1% pay rise totalling 5%, where Members Allowances had not changed.

In seconding the amendment Councillor J Collop commented that if allowances had been increased by a small amount more regularly there wouldn’t be such an issue now.  He commended the recommendation to link any increases with staff salaries in the future.

Councillor Moriarty confirmed that there had been opportunities to get involved, but not all Councillors had the time to be able to attend all the meetings.  He questioned if it was wise to increase allowances for the first year of a Council Tax increase and the change in meeting cycles.

Councillor A Tyler expresses disappointment at the modest award for King’s Lynn Area Committee Chairman, and no recommendation for the Vice-Chairman.

Councillor Beales reminded Members that the purpose of allowances was to attempt to encourage a wider age range of Councillors, the Panel representative had explained that the allowances were not supposed to be a salary, but to assist Members to play an important role within the community. 

Councillor Joyce commented that if the Council wanted Councillors to come from all walks of life they should be rewarded. 

Councillor Smith suggested that Councillor could propose the abolition of allowances should they wish.

In summing up Councillor Daubney thanked the Panel for their work which had been fully considered and reminded Members that in four years’ time it would have to be considered again.

Councillor McGuinness, with the required number of supporters requested a recorded vote on the amendment as follows:

The amendment was lost.  On being put to the vote the substantive Motion was carried.

CAB156: Strategic Land Acquisition - King's Lynn was agreed without debate.

RESOLVED:   That the recommendations from the Cabinet Meeting on 5 April 2016 be approved.