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19 APRIL 2023 |
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Report of the Democracy and General Purposes Committee Meeting held on 29 March 2023 – Members’ Allowances Review 2023, IRP Community Representative Appointment |
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Wards affected
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All. |
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Executive Summary |
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In order for the Council to complete its Members’ Allowances Review 2023, it needs to appoint a community representative to the Independent Remuneration Panel.
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This report makes the following recommendation to the Council: |
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1. That Derek Butler be appointed as the Community representative on the Independent Remuneration Panel for the Members’ Allowances Review 2023. |
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1. REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION
1.1 The Council introduced new Governance arrangements in May 2022. To support those arrangements the Council agreed a new scheme of Members’ Allowances on the recommendation of the Independent Remuneration Panel.
1.2 As the Members’ Allowances were supporting a new Governance model it was felt prudent to plan a review of those allowances to ensure they reflected the Governance model once it had been in operation for a suitable period. That review is planned for June 2023.
1.3 In order to carry out that review the Council is required to take into account the views of an Independent Remuneration Panel. The constitution sets out the membership of that panel as one representative from Southeast Employers, one representative from the Kent Chamber of Commerce and one Community representative to be appointed by Council on the recommendation of the Democracy and General Purposes Committee.
1.4 Derek Butler was on the Independent Remuneration Panel that originally considered the scheme and new Governance arrangements. He is trained and experienced in the issues being reviewed and is therefore recommended. However, Members should be aware that due to time constraints a wide recruitment process for potential candidates was not carried out. Therefore, it is not recommended that Derek Butler’s term run beyond this one review, without a full process being followed.
2. ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED AND WHY NOT RECOMMENDED
2.1 Alternatives included:
Option 2 – That Derek Butler be recommended to Council to be appointed as the community representative on the Independent Remuneration Panel for a set period of up to 2 years. This would have the added benefit of securing a community representative for a period of time, but it is not recommended for the reasons set out in 1.4 above, and as this has not been confirmed as suitable with the candidate.
Option 3 – That an alternative community candidate be appointment though none has been identified.
Option 4 – not to make an appointment, this is not recommended as it would mean the Members’ Allowances Review 2023 could not be carried out.
3. REPORT APPENDICES
None.
4. BACKGROUND PAPERS
Agenda and Minutes of the Democracy and General Purposes Committee Meeting held on 29 March 2023:
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