Agenda item

Motion by Councillor J D Hough

It was moved and seconded that:-

'Since 2010 the council has had to find one hundred and twenty five million pounds of savings due to reductions in Central Government funding and cost pressures. We have seen the loss of frontline services and thousands of staff losing their jobs.

People in Lincolnshire have already suffered from the recession with cuts in living standards, job losses, and reductions in public services. Two weeks ago further cuts in Government funding were announced which could mean a loss to Lincolnshire of another fifteen million pounds.

Three years ago a review of councillor allowances was carried out by the Independent Remuneration Panel. The recommendations would have meant an increase in the main councillor allowance of £1,816, an increase of 22%.The Council agreed to defer the increase and use the money instead for the benefit of the community.

Following the election we need to decide what should happen now. There are three options:-

1.    The recommendations of the Remuneration Panel for an increase of 22% are implemented, which would for example increase the basic rate for a councillor from £8,184 to £10,000 a year,

2.    There is no increase in councillor allowances,

3.    The recommendations of the Remuneration Panel are not implemented and instead there is 1% increase on the old allowances.

The current position is that plans are in place to implement the recommendations (option 1 above) of the Independent Remuneration Panel subject to legal advice.

This Council, while recognising the importance of allowances to ensure that Councillors from all sections of the community are able to serve on the Council, and mindful of the recommendations of the 2010 Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) and subsequent Council decisions, believes it would be unacceptable for councillors to vote for the full increase recommended by the IRP in the prevailing economic conditions, and therefore resolves that Councillors should only receive an increase of 1% on allowances currently set out in the third column of Schedule 1 to Part 6 of the Council's Constitution in line with this year’s expected settlement for the work force.'

An amendment was proposed to the motion to delete the final paragraph and to replace it with the following wording, and was moved and seconded.

'That Council resolves to make a Scheme of Members Allowances for 2013-14 that, whilst recognising the recommendations of the 2010 Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) and subsequent Council decisions, makes no increase to the amounts set out in the third column of Table 1 in part 6 of the Constitution.

To convene an Independent Remuneration Panel to report back with recommendations to Council on 13 December 2013 at the latest.'

The amendment, upon being put to the vote, was carried.  This became the substantive motion. 

The amended motion, upon being put to the vote, was carried.

Motion by Councillor Mrs M J Overton

It was moved and seconded that:-

'This council calls on Central Government to support the Independence of Local Government from Central Government with a clear mandate to act independently of Central Government in the interests of local people.

Over the past few years, central funding support has decreased, leaving us with greater demands and less money. Yet Central Government still ties us up with thousands of detailed regulations and restrictions. As demand for services increases and our resources decrease, we need flexibility to work differently.  Lincolnshire County Council calls on Central Government to give us in local government that clear mandate or constitution of independence from Central Government.'

Upon being put to the vote, the motion was lost.