Decisions

The Council received a report that sought to extend the attendance period from six month to twelve months, to ensure recommended and mandated absences by Central Government for the purpose of ensuring health and limiting the spread of COVID-19 did not cause members to be affected by the six month requirement, set out in Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Chair of Council had agreed to the report being considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.

It was moved by Councillor B Pickard and seconded by Councillor J Stirling that:

1.    the contents of the report be noted;

2.    pursuant to Section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1972, the absence of the Elected Mayor and all members from all meetings of the authority for an additional period of 6 months, from the date of their last attendance, be approved; and

3.    pursuant to Section 85(3) of the Local Government Act 1972, the absence of the Elected Mayor and all Cabinet members from all meetings of the Cabinet for an additional period of 6 months, from the date of their last attendance, be approved.

The Motion, on being put to the meeting, was approved by 20 votes to 0 votes.

The Council received a report which presented the Pay Policy statement 2020/21, which set out the Authority’s policies on a range of pay matters relating to the workforce, including senior employees (Chief Officers).

The main part of the Pay Policy had not changed during the last 12 months.  This was because negotiations for a new pay scale were continuing at a national level but agreement had not yet been reached.  Any increases would be back dated to 1 April 2020 when they had been agreed.  The pay multiple and the gender pay gap had been calculated as at 31 March 2019.

The Authority had a statutory duty to publish the Pay Policy Statement following the approval by the full Council.

It was moved by Councillor B Pickard and seconded by Councillor J Stirling that:

(1) the Pay Policy statement 2020/21 be approved; and

(2) the publication of the Pay Policy be authorised.

The Motion, on being put to the meeting, was approved by 20 votes to 0 votes.

Resolved that the minutes of the Council meetings held on 16 January (Ordinary meeting) and 20 February 2020 (Extraordinary meeting) be taken as read, confirmed and signed by the Chair.