Lancashire Combined Fire Authority
Meeting to be held on 28 April 2025
Members' Allowance Scheme and Indices
Contact for further information: Mark Nolan – Monitoring Officer and Clerk to the Authority - Tel No. 01772 866720
Executive SummaryThe Members’ Allowance Scheme has not been reviewed since June 2016, since then there have been further changes to the economic climate in the delivery of emergency and public services and a marked increase in statutory and operational obligations to ensure best value and efficiency, efficacy and effectiveness within the current climate in which the Authority operates to govern the delivery of emergency services. Some proposed amendments have been made to bring the Scheme up to date (Appendix 1 refers.)
Local Authorities (Members' Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003 also permit a Members' Allowance Scheme to make provision for an annual adjustment of allowances by reference to an index which must be reviewed every 4 years. Whilst this review would not ordinarily be required until 2026, it is considered appropriate to review the indices in line with the proposal to change the Scheme wording. Members are asked to consider whether to continue to use the existing indices.
RecommendationsThe Authority is asked to consider and approve the proposed changes to the Scheme and also the indices used and to continue with the existing indices for a further four-year period.
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Members’ Allowance Scheme
The Authority has had a Members' Allowance Scheme in place since 2003 in line with the Local Authorities (Members Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003. The Scheme has been amended in line with the Regulations in June 2006, April 2008, April 2012 and June 2016 with the indices reviewed in September 2014, June 2016, September 2018 and October 2022.
Annual adjustment changes are made in line with the Authority's approved indices as follows:-
· Basic, Special Responsibility and Co-optees' Allowances are index linked on an annual basis in line with the annual Local Government National Pay Award for green book staff at new spinal column point 43 (formerly point 49).
· Subsistence Allowances are reviewed annually (with effect from 1 April in every year) in line with the Consumer Price Index (all items) published in November of the preceding year.
· Travel Allowances mirror the County Council's rates which are revised annually with effect from 1 April in every year in accordance with the maximum allowance for Income Tax purposes, as determined by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
To ensure the Authority complies with the regulations to have regard to the recommendations made by the independent remuneration panels of its home authorities s19 (2), the current indices used by home authorities are as follows: -
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Allowances |
Lancashire County Council |
Blackpool Council |
Blackburn with Darwen Council |
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Basic, Special responsibility and carers/ dependents allowance
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Annual uprating on 1 April which equates to the average annual % increase in employees’ pay under the National Joint Council (NJC) for local government services pay structure. |
Annual uprating of the Scheme in line with the National Joint Council (NJC) for Local Government Service pay award. |
Annual uprating of the Scheme in line with the National Joint Council (NJC) for Local Government Service pay award. |
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Overnight accommodation, travel abroad and subsistence allowances |
Increased annually from 1 April in line with the Consumer Price Index published in November of the preceding year.
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Motor car, motor cycle, and bicycle travelling allowances |
Revised annually with effect from 1 April in every year in accordance with the maximum allowance for Income tax purposes as determined by HM Revenue and Customs. |
Uprated at the same time as staff mileage allowances. |
Revised annually with effect from 1 April in every year in accordance with the maximum allowance for Income tax purposes as determined by HM Revenue and Customs. |
The Local Authorities (Members' Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003 permit a Members' Allowance Scheme to make provision for an annual adjustment of allowances by reference to an index which must be reviewed every 4 years. Members are therefore asked to consider whether the indices used remain appropriate, reasonable and transparent.
Financial Implications
The existing arrangements for Members' Allowances have been included in the revenue budget.
Business Risk
None identified.
Environmental Impact
None identified.
Equality & Diversity Implications
The Authority's Members' Allowance Scheme does not provide for the payment of Members of an allowance in respect of such expenses of arranging for the care of their children or dependants. The Local Authorities (Members' Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003 exclude the Authority from including a provision for dependants carers' allowance in its Scheme. Members are, however, entitled to claim this allowance from their constituent authority.
HR Implications
None identified.
Legal Implications
See equality and diversity implications, above.
The proposed changes fall inline with the requirement for the Authority to operate in such a way as to provide best value for the Community of Lancashire in its governance and regulatory duties, in all cases.
Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985
List of background papers
Paper: Report to CFA
Date: 28 April 2008
Contact: Clerk to the Authority
Paper: Report to CFA
Date: 16 April 2012
Contact: Director of Corporate Services
Paper: Report to CFA
Date: 8 September 2014
Contact: Clerk to the Authority
Paper: Report to CFA
Date: 20 June 2016
Contact: Clerk to the Authority
Paper: Report to CFA
Date: 17 September 2018
Contact: Director of Corporate Services
Paper: Report to CFA
Date: 3 October 2022
Contact: Clerk to the Authority
Reason for inclusion in Part 2 if appropriate: N/A