Agenda item

To receive a report seeking to make amendments to the Members’ Allowance Scheme for 2022/23.

The Employment in Hampshire County Council (EHCC) Committee considered a report of the Chief Executive regarding amendments to the Members’ allowance scheme 2022/23.

The report included several recommendations from the Independent Remuneration Panel in relation to the newly proposed Deputy Leader SRA, alongside the existing SRAs for Opposition Group Leaders and Opposition Group Spokespersons.

The SRA for the roles of Assistant to the Executive – Adult Services and Public Health and Assistant to the Executive – Children’s Services and for the role of Chairman of the River Hamble Harbour Board were recommended to continue at the previously agreed rates.

During discussion it was noted that the proposals would lead to Opposition Group Spokespersons awards varying depending on the political composition of the relevant committee. It was suggested that there may be a way to standardise this, such as using the membership of all Select Committees in the formula, but that this would need to be carefully considered. It was agreed that Officers would look into this ahead of the required agreement by Full Council.

RESOLVED:

That the EHCC Committee:

• Thank the IRP for their work in considering this matter, and their recommendations as referred to in this report.

• Recommend to the County Council that approval be given to amendment of the Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2022/23, which considers the recommendations of the IRP and the views of the EHCC Committee. Delegation is given to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Chairman of the EHCC Committee, to formulate the calculations required to implement the proposed changes to include the EHCC Committee's views.

• Recommend to the County Council that Members’ Basic Allowances and SRAs be adjusted for the year 2022/23 by 3.56%.