(Councillor John Halsall declared a personal interest in this item)

The Committee considered a report in relation to the appointment of members to the Independent Remuneration Panel which was responsible for carrying out reviews of the Members’ Allowances Scheme and subsequently making recommendations to Council.

Councillor Ferris stated that he was pleased that an Independent Remuneration Panel was being appointed and hoped that for continuity purposes they would remain in situ longer than previous panels.  He also felt that reviewing Members’ allowances every two years was the correct timeframe and hoped the review would be undertaken in an impartial way. 

It was noted that all the Panel Members had stated that they did not have an affiliation with any political party.  Following a query by Councillor Ferris it was clarified that for continuity purposes the Council had previously agreed that membership should be staggered and two Panel Members should be appointed for 4 years and the remaining Panel Members for 3 years. 

RESOLVED that:

1)        David Harwood and Angela Slade be appointed to the Independent Remuneration Panel for a period of 4 years, commencing on 29 November 2019;

2)        Diana Anderson, Robert Nancarrow and Ian Newlove to be appointed to the Independent Remuneration Panel for a period of 3 years, commencing on 29 November 2019.