Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from the following Members:

Councillor Bambridge;

Councillor Rusiecki;

Councillor D’Abbro;

Councillor Donaldson;

Councillor Dennis.

To receive any declarations of interest.  Members are advised to consider the advice contained within the Declaration of Interest advice attached to this Agenda.  If a Member declares an interest, they should complete the Declaration of Interest Form 

There were no declarations of interest.

Councillor Yates introduced the report and said that this item was being presented to the meeting in order for Council to amend the Councillors Allowances Scheme to include an additional Cabinet Portfolio Holder post and an additional Opposition Spokesperson role to the Special Responsibility Allowances Scheme. This was due to the appointment of Cllr K. Bright as Cabinet Member for Parking.

Councillor Yates further said that if agreed by Council, these proposals would be forwarded to the East Kent Joint Independent Remuneration Panel (EKJIRP) for advice because any changes to the Scheme need to be the subject of consultation with the Joint Panel. The Remuneration Panel can then make recommendations back to Council.

Councillor Yates proposed, Councillor Albon seconded and Council the following:

1.  To adopt the proposed 2024/25 Members allowances scheme as set out at annex 1 to this report and to refer the scheme to the East Kent Joint Independent Remuneration Panel (EKJIRP) for them to consider;

2.  To note that any recommendations from the EKJIRP altering the proposed scheme will be reported back to Council for consideration;

3.  If no recommendations are received from the EKJIRP, to agree to delegate authority to approve the final scheme to the S.151 Officer.

The Chair proposed, Vice Chair seconded and Council agreed the following, that:

1.  Council do not make any recommendations on where the electoral boundaries should be;

2.  Council should submit a consultation response to the LGBCE asking for two Member Wards with a flexibility for one Member Wards where applicable, but wards should not be bigger than this (no three or four member wards);

3.  Council should also delegate to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council, agreement on the final wording of any submission to the LGBCE, based upon the recommendation from Council.

Councillor Everitt proposed, Councillor Will Scobie seconded and Council agreed the following:

1.  To add to the calendar of meetings 26 June 2024 as a new meeting date of the Planning Committee;

2.  To amend the Cabinet meeting date of Thursday, 27 June 2024 in order to reschedule the meeting to 6.00pm on Tuesday, 25 June 2024.