Decision details

The Leader moved a report, seconded by the Deputy Leader, setting out the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) in relation to the Council's Members' Allowance Scheme for 2017/18. In moving the report, the Leader proposed several adjustments to the IRP recommendations, which had previously been circulated to all members.

County Councillor Paul Greenall proposed the following amendment which was seconded by County Councillor Liz Oades:

(i)  That Councillors should not be entitled to claim travel expenses from home to County Hall as County Hall is their normal 'place of work';

(ii)  That the Special Responsibility Allowance payments made to Group Whips and Group Secretaries be withdrawn with immediate effect.

Following this, the Chairman suggested that the meeting be adjourned for a short period.

Resolved: - That the meeting be adjourned for a period of five minutes.

Following the adjournment, the amendment was put to the vote and was LOST. The substantive motion was then put to the vote and was CARRIED. It was therefore:

Resolved: - That:

(i)  The Members of the Independent Remuneration Panel be thanked for their report.

(ii)  Recommendations (1), (3) and (4) as set out at Appendix 'A' to the report, now presented, be approved.

(iii)  Recommendation (2) be not accepted and that the 1% staff pay increase for 2017/18 be not applied to the 2017/18 Members' Allowance Scheme.

(iv)  Recommendation (5), as set out in the report, be agreed and that the incorporation of the Scheme's guidance notes in the 2017/18 Scheme, as presented at Appendix 'B', be approved.

(v)  Recommendation (6) be not accepted and that the list of Special Responsibility Allowances, as set out at Schedule 'B' of the Members' Allowance Scheme be amended and allowances paid as follows:

·  An SRA of £16,247 be paid to the additional Cabinet Member position announced at Full Council on 25 May 2017 and formally appointed on 26 May.

·  That an SRA of £7,471 be paid to the Chairs of the following Committees:

Overview and Scrutiny Committees

Corporate Parenting Board

Development Control Committee

Regulatory Committee

Pension Fund Committee

Audit and Governance Committee

Corporate Complaints Committee

Lancashire County Developments Ltd

·  That an SRA of £3,512 be paid to the Deputy Chairs of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

·  That no SRAs be paid to the second largest opposition Group.

(vi)  The revised Members' Allowance Scheme for 2017/18, as amended above, be approved and the Director of Governance, Finance and Public Services be authorised to make the necessary changes to the Scheme.