The Corporate Director Operational and Partnership Services presented a report, which advised that the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW) had issued its Draft Annual Report for consultation, which was attached as an Appendix to the report.

The Head of Democratic Services stated that the Committee were requested to provide its views in respect of the draft report. He added that any response on behalf of the Council, would be submitted to the IRPW and the WLGA by a deadline date of 28 November 2016.

The Head of Democratic Services outlined certain background information that was contained in the report, and particularly, that in accordance with the requirements of Section 147 of the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011, the IRPW has published its draft Annual Report setting out its determinations for the municipal year 2017/18.

The paragraphs that comprised paragraph 4 of the report outlined the basic salary for a local Member, and the Head of Democratic Services advised Members that if they had any comments to make on this or any other provision of the report, then to let him know in order that these observations could be included in the above response to the IRPW, etc.

A Member of the Labour Group confirmed to the Committee, that BCBC’s Labour Group had agreed that they would be supporting the current proposals with regard to Members basic salary, ie an increase of £100 equating to a rise of 0.75%, as well as the rate outlined for Level 1 in terms of the Senior salary holders.

The Head of Democratic Services stated that if Council proposed in the future that there be an Executive that consists of 7 Members, as it had done in the recent past, then he felt that this would merit Level 1 as opposed to Level 2 for Senior salary holders, as BCBC would continue to have a Cabinet consisting of less than 8 Members, not including the Leader/Deputy Leader.

Paragraph 4.3 of the report then detailed the Remuneration proposals for Civic Heads and Deputy Civic Heads, and Members supported the salaries identified here at Level 2 in terms of responsibility for these dignitaries. A former Mayor of the Authority added however, that the mayoral role should not include any commitment from their salary allowance to support functions and charities etc.

A Member in terms of a more general comment, felt that Members allowances should be set in-keeping with the size of the local authority, and that the administration in power at the time, should have a say in how allowances are allocated on this basis.

The Head of Democratic Services then proceeded to expand upon the remaining provisions of the report for the benefit of Members.

He finally then reiterated that he would take Members comments on this item into consideration, and include these in suitable a reply to the IRPW.

RESOLVED:             That the Head of Democratic Services prepares a reply to be sent to the IRPW in respect of its draft Annual Report 2017-18, to include the views of Members in respect of the contents of this.