The Local Authorities (Members Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003
Stroud District Council has received a copy of a report made for it by an independent remuneration panel in respect of its Members' Allowance Scheme. In developing its recommendations the panel adopted the following principles:
- No Councillor should be out of pocket for the work that he/she undertakes as a Councillor and the level of allowances should not deter, nor is the reason for, anyone offering him or herself for election.
- The level of Basic Allowance for Councillors should be at a level that encourages a wider access for election, should be broadly in line with other similar authorities and it should take into account not just the time element but the element of responsibility where appropriate.
- Its recommendations should take into account the time needed to fulfil the various roles that Members need to carry out but retain an element of public service.
- The allowances scheme should be simple to understand and administer, as open and transparent as possible to ensure that Members and the public understand what it expected of Councillors in return for their allowances.
The panel has made the following recommendations:
| Basic Allowance for Councillors | £4,298 |
| Payments to Chair and Vice-Chair of Council: | |
| Chair of Council | £6,966 |
| Vice-Chair of Council | £2,323 |
Special Responsibility Allowance for: |
|
| Leader of Council | £15,958 |
| Deputy Leader of Council | £10,547 |
| Cabinet Members | £9,599 |
| Chairs of Scrutiny | £4,578 |
| Vice-Chair of Scrutiny | £893 |
| Chair of Development Control | £4,578 |
| Vice-Chair of Development Control | £893 |
| Chair of Housing Forum | £2,622 |
| Vice-Chair of Housing Forum | £502 |
| Chair of Licensing and Regulation | £3,497 |
| Vice-Chair of Licensing and Regulation | £700 |
| Group Leader (per group member) | £117.35 |
- £1,350 of the Basic Allowance be regarded as the expense element for calculating state benefits and taxation liabilities.
- The Dependent and Childcare Allowance continues to be made available to Members
- Accountability mechanisms to be adopted
- Travel and Subsistence allowances to continue as at present
- Pensions for Members be considered by a future panel
- No more than 50% of Members should be in receipt of a Special Responsibility Allowance
- All Group Leaders are to receive a special responsibility allowance, which will vary according to the groups' strength in numbers. The amount is arrived at by assigning £117.35 per group member
- Members be not permitted to receive more than one Special Responsibility Allowances at any one time, except in the case of the Group Leaders' allowances
- Enhanced information Technology for elected Members be provided
Copies of the panel's report are available for inspection at the Council Offices, Ebley Mill, Westward Road, Stroud, Glos GL5 4UB during normal opening hours. A copy of the report may be purchased for £25 plus VAT.
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Allowances Paid During the Financial Year 2007-2008 - 10/09/2008 : 77Kb
David Hagg
Chief Executive
