Issue - meetings

The Electoral Services Manager presented the Independent Remuneration Panel’s (IRP) recommendations in respect of Redditch Borough Councillors’ allowances for 2020/21.

Members discussed the proposals that had been made by the IRP and noted that this included the suggestion that the basic allowance for all Members should increase, which would have implications for the level of Special Responsibility Allowance (SRA) available to eligible Members.  There was general consensus that Members could not justify increasing their allowances at a challenging financial time for the Council.  However, Members agreed that the recommendations from the IRP which would not result in any additional financial costs for the Council should be approved.

RECOMMENDED that

1)        travel allowances for 2020-21 continue to be paid in accordance with the HMRC mileage allowance;

2)        subsistence allowances for 2020-21 remain unchanged;

3)        the Dependent Carer’s Allowance remains unchanged; and

4)        for Parish Councils in the Borough, if travel and subsistence is paid, the Panel recommends that it is paid in accordance with the rates paid by Redditch Borough Council and in accordance with the relevant regulations.