Issue - meetings

The Committee received a report from the Democratic Services Manager which referred to Council’s request in June 2017 for the Independent Remuneration Panel to review a small number of councillor roles which had not been covered under the Special Responsibility Allowance (SRA) and to recommend whether any should receive a SRA.

Separately, the Executive Councillor for Strategy and Transformation (the Executive Portfolio responsible for Democratic Services) had requested a short report on the Mayoral allowance and the budgets allocated to it.

In response to Members questions, Graham Jagger (Independent Remuneration Panel Member) said the following:

     i.        At the time of writing the report in October 2017 there had been insufficient time to establish the impact of Councillor involvement, commitment and contribution to the appointment of the following:

a)   Greater Cambridge Partnership Assembly.

b)   Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.

c)   Police and Crime Panel Member.

The Democratic Services Manager confirmed payment of the Mayor’s taxi travel was taken from Civic and Twinning Cost Centre while tips for the taxi drivers were from the Mayoral allowance.

Resolved (unanimously) to:

i.          Agree with the IRPs recommendations for Council decision the following:

a)    A special responsibility allowance of 25% of the Basic Allowance (£1,120) be paid to the Cabinet Member on the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.  This is for the 2017/18 Municipal Year ie backdated to May 2017.

b)     To carry out further evidence gathering on the work of the City Councillor responsibilities on the Combined Authority, Greater Cambridge Partnership and Police and Crime Panel, reporting back to the Civic Affairs Committee in the new Municipal Year.

ii.          To agree that the statements on the Mayor’s Allowance which will be included in the Mayor’s Handbook.

   iii.        To agree that the IRP’s remit will cover  the Mayor and Deputy Mayor’s Allowance (including all hospitality budgets) with any changes in time for implementation for the 2019/20 Mayoral year.