Agenda and minutes

            RESOLVED:

            That Mr D Jackman be elected Chairman of the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest made by members of the Panel in any item on the agenda.

            RESOLVED:

            That the minutes of the last meeting held on 31 January 2013 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

(Assistant to the Chief Executive) To consider the attached report.

The Panel considered a proposal of Buckhurst Hill Parish Council to introduce a remuneration scheme with effect from 1 April 2013 to be paid in arrears comprising a flat rate allowance to all members and reimbursement of travel expenses and/or mileage incurred in the course of Council business.

The Panel noted that the proposed flat rate allowance was £35 per member per annum to enable members to register with the Information Commissioner as data controllers.  In relation to travel expenses and/or mileage, the Parish Council was proposing a maximum of £200 per councillor in any one financial year.  Travel expenses would be reimbursed on the production of receipts or tickets and mileage claims would be paid at HMRC approved mileage allowance payment rates, currently 45p per mile.

The Panel was reminded that the guideline adopted as a maximum for spending on Town/Parish schemes was not more than the percentage of the District Council’s budget allocated to member remuneration (excluding connectivity and travelling) with no individual payment exceeding the rate for a District Councillor.

The Panel was advised that the Parish Council’s precept for 2013/14 was £367,142 and the proposed expenditure on allowances was £2,585.  The relevant percentage for 2013/14 was 3.4% which when applied to the precept resulted in a total figure of £12,482.  Accordingly, the Parish Council’s proposals fell within the guideline.

            RESOLVED:

            (1)        That the following proposal of the Buckhurst Hill Parish Council be approved:

            (a)        the introduction of a remuneration scheme with effect from 1 April 2013 to be paid in arrears;

            (b)        a flat rate allowance of £35 per member per year to allow members to register with the Information Commissioner as data controllers as necessary;

            (c)        reimbursement of travel expenses and/or mileage incurred in the course of Council business up to a maximum total of £200 per councillor in any one year;

            (d)        travel expenses to be reimbursed on production of receipts or tickets; and

            (e)        mileage claims to be paid at HMRC approved mileage allowance payment rates, currently 45p per mile; and

            (2)        That the Assistant to the Chief Executive advise the Parish Council of the Panel’s views and supply a draft public notice and a scheme document for placing on public deposit.

            RESOLVED:

            That the next meeting be held on a date to be agreed.