Policy and Resources (Members) Sub-Committee 18 September 2006
From Nigov
Policy and Resources Committee
Monday, 18th September, 2006
Contents |
MEETING OF POLICY AND RESOURCES (MEMBERS) SUB-COMMITTEE
Members present: Councillor Lavery (Chairman); and Councillors M. Browne, McCann, McCoubrey, Ní Chuilín, O'Reilly and Smyth.
- In attendance:
Apology
An apology for inability to attend was reported from Councillor Hendron.
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting of 14th August were taken as read and signed as correct.
National Association of Councillors – Annual Conference and Annual General Meeting
The Members' Support Officer informed the Sub-Committee that the National Association of Councillors would be holding its Annual Conference and General Meeting in Cardiff from Friday, 27th until Sunday, 29th October.
He advised the Members that the Council had been represented at the event in previous years and that those Members who had attended had found it to be a valuable opportunity to increase awareness of Members’ issues and discuss with other Councillors from across the United Kingdom issues of mutual interest and concern. He pointed out that the keynote speaker at the Conference would be the Right Honourable Peter Hain, M.P., Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and Wales.
The Sub-Committee, having noted that the business of the Conference fell within the criteria set out in Section 38 of the 1972 Local Government Act in that it involved discussion of issues concerned with the discharge of the functions of the Council and affecting the District or its inhabitants, approved the attendance at the Conference of the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman, the Council’s representatives on the National Association of Councillors, Northern Ireland Region, the Head of Committee and Members' Services (or their nominees) and a representative of each of the Party Groupings on the Council not represented by the aforementioned Members. The Sub-Committee agreed also to the payment of the appropriate fees, travelling, subsistence and attendance allowances in connection therewith.
Information and Communication Support for Members
The Sub-Committee considered the undernoted report, which had been prepared by the Members' Support Officer, in relation to the provision of Information and Communication Technology support for the Members of Council.
After discussion, the Sub-Committee agreed to adopt the recommendation as set out in the foregoing report.
Councillors’ Remuneration Working Group
The Head of Committee and Members' Services reminded the Sub-Committee that in August, 2005, a Councillors’ Remuneration Working Group had been established with a remit to make recommendations to the Minister with responsibility for the Department of the Environment regarding the future remuneration of Councillors in Northern Ireland. The report suggested that:
- Attendance Allowance should be abolished
- Basic Allowance should be the same for all Councillors
- Legislation should be introduced to establish clarity around the justification behind the allocation of Special Responsibility Allowances
- Any personal allowance paid to the Chairman or Deputy Chairman (Lord Mayor/Deputy Lord Mayor) should be made out of the Council’s total amount of Special Responsibility Allowance
- Co-optees’ and Dependants’ Carers’ Allowances should be introduced.
- There should be legislative provision to enable Councils to provide Members’ Support which should comply with a common framework
- Travel and subsistence arrangements for Councillors should continue to be similar to those for officers
- From the next Local Government Elections, pension provision should be open to all Councillors
- Severance arrangements should be introduced for Councillors who have served more than one term and who do not stand in the 2008 Local Government Elections
- Councils should be required to publish a scheme of Allowances, Members’ attendance records and a record of all Allowances paid
- An Independent Remuneration Panel should be appointed under the public appointments process to determine levels of Allowances for the new Councils.
The Head of Committee and Members' Services advised that the report had not proposed a level of remuneration for Councillors, though, it had made a number of observations based on the evidence which it had received, including an evaluation of the time commitment required of Councillors. He submitted the undernoted response to the document and recommended its acceptance.
After discussion, the Sub-Committee agreed to endorse the response formulated on behalf of the Council to the Working Group’s recommendations and agreed further that it be forwarded to the Minister.
Councillors Christmas Cards
The Sub-Committee agreed that a photograph by Christopher Hill showing the City Hall under snow be used as the front cover for the 2006 Members’ Christmas Card.
Chairman
