The Monitoring Officer reported on the determinations and recommendations contained within the February 2016 Annual Report of the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales in respect of the level and range of remuneration the Authority must make available to its Members for the 2016/17 municipal year.

The Monitoring Officer informed Council that the Panel had during 2015 met with the Chairpersons and/or Heads of Democratic Services of all local authorities in Wales to discuss the impact of their draft recommendations and to explain their rationale for their proposals.

The Monitoring officer reported that the maximum number of Council Members eligible for the payment of senior salaries in Bridgend is 18 not including the Mayor and Deputy Mayor.  He outlined the roles of Members within the Authority in receipt of remuneration.  He stated that any senior or civic salary is inclusive of the basic salary allocated to all elected Members. 

The Monitoring Officer reported that the Panel had determined from spring 2016 there would be no increase in the level of basic salary – Determination 1 and for the holders of Senior Salaries payments would be in line with Determination 2.  The Monitoring Officer stated that the Panel had concluded that Executive Members should be considered as working the equivalent of up to 40 hours per week.  The Panel had determined that the Leader and Deputy Leader’s remuneration would remain unchanged; however it would be for individual authorities to decide the level at which cabinet Members be paid from either of the two senior salary levels, Level 1 - £29,000 or Level 2 - £26,100.  The Monitoring Officer requested Council to approve that this level of remuneration remains at Level 1 for 2016-17.  

The Monitoring Officer also reported that the Panel had continued to take the view that the responsibility and function of chairing a committee was not generally influenced by the population of the authority, but recognised that the specific responsibility and workload of some chairs was greater than others.  This had been reflected by the introduction of two levels of remuneration for chairs of committees; Level 1 - £22,000 or Level 2 - £20,000.  The Monitoring Officer requested Council to approve that this level of remuneration remains at Level 1 for 2016-17. 

The Monitoring Officer reported that the Panel had previously determined that Council must make a senior salary available to the leader of the largest group representing at least 10% of the Council before qualifying for a senior salary.  The Panel had determined that there would be one level of salary applicable to this role at £22,000 and requested that this level of remuneration continue for 2016-17.

The Monitoring Officer also reported that the Panel had determined (Determination 3) that civic salaries are paid and that the level of remuneration is decided by Councils after taking into account the anticipated workloads of the roles, with 3 Levels being applicable to the roles of Mayor and Deputy Mayor.  He stated that the current Mayor and Deputy Mayor receive Level 2 Civic Salaries of £21,500 and £16,000 respectively and requested Council to approve the continuation of this level of remuneration for 2016-17. 

The Monitoring Officer also reported that the Panel had considered that determining the level of appropriate support for elected Members fell within the function of the Democratic Services Committee and that it was for this Committee to review the support provided to Councillors and recommendations could be made to Council accordingly (Determinations 6 & 7).  The Monitoring Officer informed Council that the Panel had determined that there be no change to the mileage rates for which Members are entitled to claim and he outlined the rates applicable.  He stated that the Panel had determined that the reimbursement of subsistence costs be aligned to those of the Welsh Government.  He informed Council that the determination for the reimbursement of for the care of dependent children and adults remain unchanged (Determination 8).  The determination in respect of family absence and substitution remain unchanged (Determinations 16 – 23). 

The Monitoring Officer reported that the panel had determined that the entitlement to join the Local Government Pension Scheme shall apply to all Elected Members of principal Councils (Determination 24). 

The Monitoring Officer reported on the Panel’s determinations for payments to be made to co-optees to in accordance with Determinations 40 – 44) applicable to the following roles:

·         5 Registered representatives on the Children and Young People overview and Scrutiny Community,

·         1 Lay-person appointed to the Audit Committee

·         4 Independent Members appointed to the Standards Committee

·         2 Town and Community Council representatives appointed to the Standards Committee.

The Monitoring officer reported that the Panel had provided guidance to local authorities for which senior salaries can be paid (Determination 45).  He stated that although the Council was unable to change the prescribed level of remuneration determined by the Panel, individual members are permitted to independently forego all or any element of remuneration to which they are entitled to. 

The Monitoring Officer that the authority has a very good relationship with the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales and its practices and documentation have been used as an exemplar of good practice and shared with all local authorities in Wales.

RESOLVED:                  (1) That Council noted the determinations and recommendations contained within the February 2016 Report of the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales in respect of the level and range of remuneration the Authority must pay its Members for the 2016/17 municipal year as shown at Appendix 1 of the report.

(2)  That Council approve:

·   the adoption of the relevant determinations of the Independent Remuneration Panel contained within its February 2016 report

·   those posts (as shown in the revised Members’ Schedule of Remuneration at Appendix 2), who will receive a senior/civic salary.

·         the level of remuneration for the Senior and Civic Salaries (where appropriate).

·         the revised Members’ Schedule of Remuneration at Appendix 2, and for it to become effective from 18May 2016 (Annual Meeting of Council).

·   that the Members’ Schedule of Remuneration be automatically updated with any changes to Senior/Civic Salary positions subsequently made by Council during the 2016/17 municipal year.