Agenda item

The Draft Annual Report of the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW) was provided to the Committee; the Annual Report set out proposals which, if implemented, would impact on Member remuneration in the civic year 2022/2023. It was mentioned that the IRPW invites comments on its draft proposals before making its final determinations for the following civic year.

It was noted that the Head of Democratic Services would provide a response to the proposals on behalf of the Council, which would include any comments and/or views made by Members of the Democratic Services Committee.

Members were informed that the figures contained within the circulated report had been set by the IRPW and it would be up to the individual Member if they wished to accept the revised arrangements; all Elected Member had the opportunity to provide their individual responses to the proposals by submitting them to IRPW directly.

It was asked if the Democratic Services Committee Members would be sighted of the Council’s draft response before it was sent to IRPW. Officers highlighted that the Head of Democratic Services would incorporate the views and comments of the Members of the Democratic Services Committee by taking on board the minutes of the meeting; if it was the case that there were no comments raised, then Officers would provide a neutral response. Members were informed that the response needed to be submitted by the end of November 2021; prior to this it was agreed that the response will be drafted and sent to Members via email for consideration, before being sent to the IRPW.

In addition, it was highlighted that the Chair and the Head of Democratic Services would be attending an IRPW briefing on Friday 22 October; and would be happy to raise any points that Members had.

Following consideration of the proposals, Members were in support of the recommendations contained within the report.