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THE MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

STANDARDS COMMITTEE

25 NOVEMBER 2009

REPORT OF THE DEMOCRATIC SERVICES MANAGER

Report Prepared by Janet Barnes

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT REMUNERATION PANEL ON MEMBERS’ ALLOWANCES

1.                  Issue for Decision

1.1           To consider the recommendations set out in the report of the Independent Remuneration Panel on Members Allowances for Maidstone Borough Council (attached as Appendix A).

1.2           Recommendation of the Democratic Services Manager

1.2.1        That the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel be considered and that the Standards Committee refer the recommendations with their comments to Council.

1.3           Reasons for Recommendation

1.3.1        The report of the Independent Remuneration Panel on Members Allowances is attached at Appendix A.  In accordance with the requirements set out in the Local Government Act 2000 and subsequent Regulations, the Council is obliged to give consideration to the recommendations of the Panel.

1.4           Alternatives Considered and Why Not Recommended

1.4.1        The comments of the Committee to the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel are sought and these could reflect a different approach to the Panel.

1.5           Other Implications

Legal                                                                         

Social Inclusion                               

Environmental/sustainable development                                     

Community safety                           

Human Rights Act                            

Procurement

1.5.1        Financial

               The financial implications arising from the recommendation to award a Special Responsibility Allowance for the Chairman of the Local Development Document Advisory Group (“LDDAG”) of £1,160 per annum are set out in Appendix B.

               As will be seen from Appendix B, currently not all allowances are paid and this will result in a small surplus in the budget for this financial year although if all allowances were paid there would a deficit.  In this municipal year the Chairman of LDDAG is also the Chairman of Planning and would, therefore, not be entitled to claim a second Special Responsibility Allowance.

               It should also be noted that the Standards Committee agreed to increase the number of Independent Members on the Committee and this will result in an extra allowance being paid for that member.

However, there is the possibility that in future years all allowances are claimed and this would result in a budget shortfall. 

1.6           Risk Management

               Not relevant to the decision being made.

Background Documents

None.