The Local Authorities (Members’ Allowances)(England) Regulations 2003 make it a requirement for every local authority to establish an independent remuneration panel for the purpose of making recommendations to the authority as to the amount of basic allowance that may be paid to every member of the authority. The Regulations also specify certain requirements concerning allowances for special responsibility, travelling and subsistence, dependants’ carers’ and co-optee’s.
The Regulations place a duty upon an authority to have regard to the recommendations of its independent panel before making or amending its Scheme of Members’ Allowances.
At the Central Bedfordshire Council Meeting of 24th February it was stated a meeting of the Independent Remuneration Panel would be held in the Summer of 2011 to discuss councillors allowances.
At the 19th May 2011 Central Bedfordshire Council Meeting, it was resolved that :
that the Council agrees to amend the Members’ Allowances Scheme by adding an additional Special Responsibility Allowance payable to Executive Members without a portfolio of £10,721.20 per year; and
that an early meeting of the Independent Remuneration Panel be convened to consult the Panel about the proposed amendment to the Scheme and to undertake a review of the current Scheme.
This was front page news in the Chronicle of 27th May 2011.
"Leader defends £21,442 payout"
I understand from a letter in this weeks Chronicle that the Independent Remuneration Panel meeting will not be held until 20th October 2011, but you can have your say.
These are the contact details provided in the Chronicle letter by Independent Councillor Adam Zerny:
Write - Independent Remuneration Panel, c/o Democratic Services, Central Bedfordshire Council, Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford, Bedfordshire, SG17 5TQ.
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