Issue - meetings
Appointment of Independent Remuneration Panel Member(s)
Meeting: 16/07/2025 - Council (Item 30)
30 Appointment of Independent Remuneration Panel Member(s) 
PDF 579 KB
Purpose
To seek approval to appoint members of the public to the Council’s Independent Remuneration Panel, which is responsible for assessing and making recommendations on the allowances paid to councillors.
Recommendation(s)
That Council resolves to:
Approve the appointment of Nikki Clark, Nick Craxton, David Hindle and Graham Russell to the Council’s Independent Remuneration Panel.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The purpose of the report was to seek approval to appoint members of the public to the Council’s Independent Remuneration Panel, which is responsible for assessing and making recommendations to Council on the allowances paid to Councillors.
Councillor Joe Harris declared a possible interest in that he had recommended one of the candidates . The Director of Governance and Development, Angela Claridge considered the facts and advised that Councillor Joe Harris was able to take part in the decision as he had played no part in any of the interview process or decision-making around the recommendation for appointment.
The report was introduced by Councillor Mike Evemy, Leader of the Council who reminded members that the setting of councillor allowances required advice from an Independent Remuneration Panel.
It was reported that one panel member had resigned, reducing the panel to two members, prompting the Monitoring Officer to initiate a recruitment process in February. As a result of this process four new candidates—Graham Russell, Nick Craxton, Nicky Clark, and David Hindle—were interviewed and proposed to Council as suitable IRP members, offering a balance of experience and backgrounds.
Members noted that a mid-term review of the allowances scheme, requested by Council in May 2023, would commence once the Panel was appointed, with a report expected in the autumn.
Councillor Evemy proposed that the mid-term review agreed at Council in May 2023 be carried out by the IRP and that the review be considered at the November Full Council meeting.
There were no questions for clarity.
Councillor Juliet Layton seconded the resolution and spoke, commenting that the Panel was a strong one with excellent experience.
The Leader confirmed that former Panel Member, Jane Winstanley, would be formally thanked for her service, and it was confirmed that this had been or would be done.
Members asked for details regarding the key characteristics required of the new Independent Remuneration Panel members. The Director of Governance and Development explained that recruitment had involved three campaigns since February to secure candidates with the right skills and experience, including analytical and questioning abilities, HR knowledge, and diverse professional backgrounds. The importance of recognising the seriousness of appointing panel members was emphasised.
Councillor Mike Evemy then summed up and confirmed that some or all of the IRP members would be invited to Council when their allowances report was considered.
The Chair then moved to the vote on the resolution proposed by Councillor Mike Evemy and seconded by Councillor Juliet Layton.
Voting Record:
28 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstentions.