Members considered recommendations from the Joint Independent Remuneration Panel for Worcestershire District Council which had been agreed at its meeting on 7th June 2011 in response to representations made by the Leader with regard to changes to the levels of Special Responsibility Allowances (SRA) payable for certain position for 2011/12.
In proposing recommendations to the Chamber, the Leader accepted recommendation (a) from the Panel but rejected (b) which recommended that no change be made to the SRA for the Chairman of the Planning Committee. He was of the opinion that, in view of the level of responsibility of the Chairman of this public facing Committee, the SRA payable should match that payable to a Portfolio Holder. In addition, he referred to the levels of responsibility of the Chairman of the Licensing Committee, particularly when chairing hearings and proposed that the level of SRA payable to the Chairman of the Licensing Committee should also match that payable to a Portfolio Holder.
The recommendations as altered above were seconded by Councillor Mrs. M. A. Sherrey JP, whereupon it was
RESOLVED:
(a) that the SRA payment made to the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board be increased to £4,796;
(b) that the SRA payment made to the Chairman of the Planning Committee be increased to £4,796;
(c) that the SRA payment made to the Chairman of the Licensing Committee be changed to £4,796 (instead of a payment per meeting for chairing that Committee or its Sub-Committees).
With regard to recommendation (c) from the Panel, the Leader proposed that the definition be changed to refer to the “Leader of the largest opposition political party elected at the ballot box”. Having been seconded by Councillor Mrs. M. A. Sherrey JP, it was
RESOLVEDthat an SRA payment of £1,066 be made to the Leader of the largest opposition political party elected at the ballot box.