Agenda item

To consider the following recommendations to Council:

(A)         Corporate Governance Policy and Local Code of Governance

To consider a recommendation arising from the meeting of the Governance, Audit and Finance Board held on 20 June 2018.   The agenda and reports for this meeting can be viewed via the following link:

http://havant.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=477&MId=10713

RECOMMENDED to full Council that the Corporate Governance Policy and the Local Code of Governance be approved and adopted.

(B)         Organisational Development Strategy

To consider a recommendation arising from the meeting of the Joint Human Resources Committee held on 3 July 2018.  The agenda and reports for this meeting can be viewed via the following link:

http://havant.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=142&MId=10623

RECOMMENDED to full Council that the Organisational Development  Strategy be approved and adopted.

(C)         Houses in Multiple Occupation Policy

To consider a recommendation arising from the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 12 September 2018.   The agenda and reports for this meeting can be viewed via the following link:

http://havant.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=125&MId=10780

RECOMMENDED to full Council that the Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Licensing Policy, and associated guidance on standards for HMOs, be approved and adopted as amended by the Licensing Committee at its meeting 12 September 2018.

(D)         Wellbeing Strategy

To consider a recommendation arising from the meeting of the Joint Human Resources Committee held on 13 September 2018.   The agenda and reports for this meeting can be viewed via the following link:

http://havant.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=142&MId=10778

RECOMMENDED TO full Council that the Wellbeing Strategy be approved and adopted.

(E)         Councillors’ Allowances

To consider any recommendations arising from the meeting of the Governance, Audit and Finance Board to be held on 19 September 2018.   The agenda and reports for this meeting can be viewed via the following link.  The minutes of the meeting of the Board will be available after publication of the agenda for this Council meeting.

http://havant.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=477&MId=10715

(F)  Recommendations from the Extraordinary Cabinet Meeting

To consider any recommendations arising from the extraordinary meeting of the Cabinet to be held on 19 September 2018.   The agenda and reports for this meeting can be viewed via the following link.  The minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet will be available after publication of the agenda for this Council meeting.

http://havant.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=128&MId=10788

(A)         Corporate Governance Policy and Local Code of Governance

Councillor Kennett presented a recommendation to Council arising from the meeting of the Goverance, Audit and Finance Board held on 20 June 2018:

Proposed by Councillor Kennett and seconded by Councillor Bowerman, it was:

RESOLVED that the Corporate Governance Policy and Local Code of Governance be approved and adopted.

(B)         Organisational Development Strategy

Councillor Branson presented a recommendation to Council arising from the meeting of the Joint Human Resources Committee held on 3 July 2018.

Proposed by Councillor Branson and seconded by Councillor K Smith, it was:

RESOLVED that the Organisational Development Strategy be approved and adopted.

(C)         Houses in Multiple Occupation Policy

Councillor Weeks presented a recommendation to Council arising from the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 12 September 2018.

Proposed by Councillor Weeks and seconded by Councillor Keast, it was:

RESOLVED that the Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Policy, and associated guidance on standards for HMOs, be approved and adopted as amended by the Licensing Committee at its meeting on 12 September 2018.

(D)         Wellbeing Strategy

Councillor Branson presented a recommendation to Council arising from the meeting of the Joint Human Resources Committee held on 13 September 2018.

Proposed by Councillor Branson and seconded by Councillor K Smith, it was:

RESOLVED that the Wellbeing Strategy be approved and adopted.

(E)         Councillors Allowances

Councillor Kennett presented a recommendation to Council arising from the meeting of the Governance, Audit and Finance Board held on 19 September 2018.

In recommending the proposed new Scheme of Councillors’ Allowances to Council, Councillor Kennett expressed his thanks to the Governance, Audit and Finance Panel for their thorough review and, particular, to the Democratic Services Officer, Mr Gregory, for the significant amount of research that had been undertaken in seeking to ensure that the recommendations were sound and evidence-based.

Proposed by Councillor Kennett and seconded by Councillor Crellin, it was:

RESOLVED that the following Scheme of Councillors Allowances be approved and adopted, with effect from 1 October 2018:

                            A Councillor may only receive 1 SRA at a time. No more than 50% of the number of Councillors can receive an SRA

                            Joint HR Committee Chairman and Vice Chairman rotates annually with EHDC.

                            *Leaders of any political group, other than the ruling group, comprising two or more members to receive a Special Responsibility Allowance based upon the following formula:

                            Band A           2-5 Members        £911

                            Band B           6-10 Members      £1822

                            Band C          11-15 Members    £2732

                            Band D          16+ Members       £3643

                            From 2020/21 the Basic Allowance be increased in line with any NJC increase as agreed each year from 1 April 2020/21.

                            Future changes to the Special Responsibility Allowances (SRAs) or proposed new SRAs to be submitted to the Governance, Audit and Finance Board for evaluation before being introduced.

                            Additional allowances

                            A Modernisation Allowance of £461 (currently included in the Basic Allowance) be created to meet a number of expenses, including council related telephone calls both land line and mobile, line rental costs, IT and internet access.

                            This allowance to be paid automatically from 1 October 2018 at £38 per month from 1 October 2018.

                            Mileage: To be maintained in line with the HMRC rate, currently 45p per mile. Passenger and cycle rates set at 5p per passenger and 20p per mile respectively. Claims to be made within six months of the date of travel. Claims may only be made to cover travelling costs incurred whilst carrying out approved council duties as a councillor. This does not include ward business or political activities, such as attending group meetings.

                            Taxi/Rail: There is a presumption in the scheme that, where practicable, councillors will pre-book rail journeys for council business via the council. Where this is not practicable, then a valid receipt/train ticket must be presented, along with reason for that journey.

                            Child care: up to £8.75 per hour.

                            Dependent relative care: up to the hourly rate for approved care providers within Hampshire County Council (currently £14.20 in 2015).

                            Claims for carers allowances must be accompanied with a receipt stating the date, hours worked and cost. Claims may only be made to cover the carer costs incurred whilst carrying out approved council duties as a councillor, such as attending council meetings.

                            Subsistence (meal) allowances: The council does not make subsistence allowances available for approved duties within the district. Maximum claims for meals to be maintained in line with the rates that can be claimed by officers, currently (2015):

·            Breakfast = £5.73

·            Lunch = £7.92

·            Meal = £9.80

                            There is a presumption in the subsistence scheme that, where practicable, councillors will pre-book meals and accommodation through the council. Where this is not practicable, then the above subsistence rates are the maximum reimbursements, up to a maximum of £43 per day, including incidental subsistence costs.

              (b)         The report and findings of the Governance, Audit and Finance Panel’s be submitted as evidence to the next Independent Remuneration Panel.

(F)             Cabinet Recommendations

There were no recommendations to Council from the Cabinet.