Archived decisions

PART I

MEMBERS' ALLOWANCES

1. The Committee has considered the formal scheme of Members' allowances for 2003/04, having due regard to recommendations from the Independent Remuneration Panel. This report summarises the main changes and recommends the adoption of the allowances and special responsibility allowances set out in the Appendix.

2. The Committee agreed that basic Members' remuneration should be increased by 3.5%, in line with the staff pay settlement, to take it up from £10,300 to £10,660 with effect from 1 April 2003. With regard to special responsibility allowances, the Committee agreed that these should also be increased by 3.5% on top of the 3% already agreed (but not implemented) for 2002/03. These proposals are in line with the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel. Examples would be that a Cabinet Member's allowance would rise from £15,000 to £16,000 and a Policy Review Committee Chairman's allowance would rise from £10,000 to £10,660.

3. There have been changes to Cabinet and other offices attracting special responsibility allowances during the year. Councillor Heath was appointed Cabinet Member with the internal liaison portfolio in May 2002, and has been paid the same special responsibility allowance as other Cabinet Members with portfolio since that date. On 1 January 2003, Councillor Mrs Glasspool was appointed Cabinet portfolio holder for personnel and training, and she will be entitled to the same special responsibility allowance as other Cabinet Members with portfolio. In addition, the County Council has recently established a Health Review Committee, with responsibilities to scrutinise the health service, and on the same basis, it is logical for the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of this new Committee (Councillors Ellis and Mrs Banks respectively) to be paid the same special responsibility allowances as the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the County Council's other Policy Review Committees. The Committee fully endorses the logic of that approach.

4. The financial effects of these proposals are set out in the following table:-

Appropriate budgetary provision will need to be made

5. The Committee proposes no change to the current system whereby the costs of meals taken away from the Castle are not reimbursed. With regard to Members' travelling allowances, the Committee agrees with the Independent Remuneration Panel that these should exactly mirror staff travelling allowances, which are:

Cars 45.2p per mile
Motorcycles 25p per mile
Bicycles/Electric Bicycles 8p per mile

This involves no change to present practice and there is therefore no financial effect. For the future, the Committee proposes to maintain the link between Members' travelling allowances and staff travelling allowances, whether these are set nationally or determined locally. Regulations are awaited, but it is likely that Local Authorities will be able to settle their own levels of travelling allowances. The implications of this change will be kept under review.

RECOMMENDATION:

1. That the scheme of Members' Allowances be approved as set out in the Appendix to this report, with effect from 1 April 2003.

2. That the approach adopted for Special Responsibility Allowances outlined in paragraph 3 be endorsed.

3. That the approach to travel and subsistence allowances be approved, on the basis that there is no reimbursement of the costs of meals taken away from the Castle, and that travelling expenses payable to Members remain linked to the rates for staff travel allowances, as set out below:-

Cars 45.2p per mile
Motorcycles 25p per mile
Bicycles/Electric Bicycles 8p per mile

P.A. Pierce
Chairman

Appendix

Hampshire County Council

Councillors' Allowances Scheme

Figures in brackets denote where the current office holder already qualifies for a higher allowance.

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