Hampshire Police Authority - Financial Affairs Panel

5 February, 2002

Members' Allowances Scheme

Report of the Clerk and the Treasurer

Contact: Mrs. Marion Boyes. (01962 871595)

1. Summary

1.1. This report refers to the key recommendations of the Independent Panel established by the Association of Police Authorities relating to police authority members' allowances. It makes specific proposals in relation to the establishment of a local scheme for the Authority and sets out benchmarking data relating to Members' allowances paid by other similar police authorities.

2. Key Recommendations

2.1. The key recommendations contained in the report of the Independent Panel are as follows:-

· Police Authorities should develop a local allowances scheme which supports members in carrying out their responsibilities effectively.


· Local allowance schemes should be fair and transparent and easily accessible to local people.


· The rates of allowances payable should be linked to a clear job profile at each level using standard job profiles with local tailoring.


· The level of allowances payable should relate to the expected time commitment of members to local and national police authority business and should also take account of additional expenses to members, such as using their home as an office or for meetings.


· The rate of basic allowances is recommended within the range £7,000 and £10,500 per year with a potential reduction to £3,500 if members time commitments are set below 3.5 hours per week.


· The special responsibility allowance payable to police authority chairmen should be set at between £15,400 and £23,100.


· The special responsibility allowance payable to Vice-Chairmen should be set at between £10,500 and £17,500 a year.


· The special responsibility allowance payable to a Committee Chairman/Leading Member should be set at between £10,500 and £14,000 a year.


· All local allowance schemes should include provision for payment of carers/dependents allowances at a recommended rate of £6 per hour.


· Local allowance schemes should provide for lay/independent members of standards committees to be paid, pro rata, between £130 and £150 per day.


· Selection Panel members to be paid on a daily rate of between £130 and £150 per day.


· Home Office rates, currently £187 per day or £93.50 per half day, to be paid to Police Appeal Tribunal Members.


· Local Schemes should be index linked to Police Support Staff Council cost of living increases, so that rates are automatically updated each year.


· The Independent Panel should review the operation of the new arrangements in June, 2002 and that there should be a further review in 2005.

2.2. Members' Performance

2.3. Consideration is currently being given to developing a performance monitoring scheme for members.

2.4. It was recognised by the Independent Panel that not all authority members contribute to the work of Authorities to the same extent as others which is reflected in the wider variation in allowances currently claimed. It was felt that, whilst in some authorities the burden of work is widely shared, other authorities rely heavily on a small number of members making a major contribution, whilst some members contribute a minimum.

2.5. In the view of the Panel, it is not an issue to be tackled through a remuneration scheme but is a performance matter for police authorities who are urged to examine closely their arrangements for ensuring that all members carry out their responsibilities in full.

2.6. The APA as part of its wider improvement programme, has been encouraged to consider developing further guidance to help authorities in this area. In the meantime, the Clerk is liaising with other police authorities in order to identify work already being carried out and a further report will be presented to the Authority in due course.

3. The Next Steps

3.1. The Authority is, therefore, invited to consider the following Appendices:-

(a) Appendix A - role of Police Authority Members, Chairmen of Panels/lead members, Chairman, and Vice-Chairman.


(b) Appendix B - proposed new rate of member allowances and financial implications.


(c) Appendix C - Police Authority Comparisons.

As can be seen from this Appendix, the recommended Hampshire rates compare favourably with the Independent Panel recommendations and the rates being adopted by other police authorities.


(d) Appendix D - New Scheme of Allowances 2002/03

RECOMMENDATIONS:

That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Authority:

(a) That the "job description" as set out in Appendix A be adopted.

(b) That the new Scheme of Allowances for 2002/03 be adopted with effect from 1 April, 2002 as set out in Appendices B and D.

(c) That provision for the additional estimated cost be made in the 2002/03 Budget.

(d) That a further report on a performance monitoring scheme for Members be presented to a future meeting of the Authority.

(e) That the Clerk be authorised to amend the Scheme as appropriate to reflect consequential changes eg nationally agreed changes in petrol allowances and subsistence.

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