URL: https://democracy.cheltenham.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=3429

Decision Maker: Council

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: The Monitoring Officer began by saying that she was introducing the report in the absence of the Chair of the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP), Graham Russell, who has decided to stand down from the role.  She put on record her thanks to him for all his hard work, time and effort over recent years, which she said was much appreciated. Introducing the report, she said that when the new Cabinet Housing Committee was set up a year ago, it was agreed that the allowance for the Chair and Vice-Chair would be reviewed after one year.  As set out in the report, the panel felt that the special responsibility allowance (SRA) for these roles should be increased to be in line with that of regulatory committees (Planning and Licensing) and recommended that change be made.   Members were also being asked to note the allowances paid to co-optees and independent persons on Audit, Compliance and Governance Committee, Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and Cabinet Housing Committee. There were no questions from Members. A Member said she thoroughly supported the recommendations, knowing that the amount of technical information and paperwork dealt with by the Cabinet Housing Committee is very similar to that of Planning and Licensing.  She was also pleased to note that the independent persons are being fairly remunerated. The Leader added her thanks to the outgoing Chair of the IRP and was sorry to see him go after doing this difficult job for some years.  She said his vast experience and knowledge of how councils and councillors work had made an important and consistent contribution to the work of the panel, and he will be much missed. The Mayor also added his thanks on behalf of the whole Council, saying the task of Chair was challenging and often thankless. RESOLVED THAT:  1.     the Chair of Cabinet Housing Committee be awarded a Special Responsibility Allowance of £5,363, to be backdated to the 1 October 2025;   2.     the Vice Chair of Cabinet Housing Committee be awarded a Special Responsibility Allowance of £1,823, to be backdated to the 1 October 2025;   3.     the allowances for co-optees/independent persons are noted.      

Date of Decision: October 13, 2025