Somerset County Council is required under the Somerset (Structural Changes) Order 2022 to formulate proposals for the scheme of members’ allowances to be adopted by the new Somerset Council from 1 April 2023.
There are currently five vacancies to fill on the new Independent Panel that will advise the new Unitary Council, Somerset Council on the payment of allowances to their councillors.
The Government requires that councils establish Independent Remuneration Panels (IRP’s). Councils cannot alter or update their existing Scheme of Members Allowances without considering a report from an Independent Remuneration Panel.
The Panel is made up of independent persons who consider the roles undertaken by councillors and make recommendations as to the amount they should receive in basic and special responsibility allowances. Panel members receive information from the council to enable them to reach informed decisions and will be able to seek comparative information from other councils, interview councillors and generally undertake what research they consider necessary to enable them to make well founded recommendations.
To be eligible to join the Panel as a volunteer you must:
- Be a Somerset resident
- Not be a councillor on Somerset Council
- Be interested in public services
- Have no personal or business relationships with the councillors of Somerset Council
Panel members need to be able to attend meetings four to six times a year and read reports prior to each meeting. Training will be provided by officers.
Appointments will be made to the Panel by the Council on merit following an informal interview process and are initially for a three-year period, although there is the option for appointments to be renewed for a further three-year period.
Although there is no salary for this voluntary role, Panel members receive a travel allowance for attending meetings.
For further details, please contact Andrew Melhuish, Andrew.melhuish@somerset.gov.uk or telephone 01823 355927
To apply for the position, you will need to send in a copy of your CV and a short supporting personal statement (not more than a side of A4) stating why you think you are qualified for the role. Please email your completed application to: Andrew.melhuish@somerset.gov.uk or laura.woon@somerset.gov.uk
The closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday 16th September 2022
Informal interviews will be held on either Thursday 22 or Friday 23 September 2022.
Somerset County Council is committed to promoting equal opportunity and access for all people.