To consider the above report

Members considered recommendations from the council’s Independent Remuneration Panel in relation to maternity, paternity and adoption benefits for elected Members.

Councillor Dudley explained that the main thrust was to ensure that there was no disincentive for people who may wish to start a family, have children or adopt, in being an elected Member.  He wished to see more women in politics and to allow this to happen an enabling environment was required.

Councillor N Airey spoke in support of the motion, not only because she herself had a 9 month old daughter. She had attended her fist council meeting just three weeks after giving birth. Councillor N Airey highlighted that all councillors were Corporate Parents to the circa 110 Children in Care in the borough. She had participated in the Maidenhead Half Marathon team highlighting the importance of fostering and adoption. The proposals were a step in the right direction to level the playing field for women and ensure the wellbeing of children.

Councillor S Rayner commented that as a woman in politics it was important for her to encourage others to come into the political arena. She was proud that the borough was taking steps to encourage this to happen.

Councillor M Airey joined the meeting.

Councillor Stretton commented that it was important to equalise the chamber; she was pleased the arrangements were being brought in line with employers’ legislation.

Councillor Saunders applauded the proposals presented; it was time to ensure all procedures were blind to differences.

It was confirmed that the Members’ Allowance Scheme already included a dependant’s carer’s allowance.

Councillor Bicknell commented that no doubt the whole chamber would be behind the proposals.

It was proposed by Councillor Dudley, seconded by Councillor Bicknell, and:

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: ThatFull Council notes the report and considers proposals detailed in Appendix A by the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP):

i)          The Basic Allowance should continue to be paid during any period of maternity, adoption or paternity leave, noting that any period of absence from qualifying meetings greater than six months would require special dispensation by Full Council.

ii)        For maternity and adoption leave, the Member to continue to receive SRA payments on the following basis:

·            Six weeks at 90% of actual SRA level

·            Twelve weeks at 50% of actual SRA level

iii)       For paternity leave, the Member to continue to receive SRA payments in full for a period of two weeks.

iv)       The principle of one SRA only per Member be retained.

v)        No qualifying period to apply for entitlement to receive either the Basic Allowance or SRA payments during a period of maternity, adoption or paternity leave.

vi)       If a Member chose to resign in the three month period following a return from maternity or adoption leave, they would be required to pay back the 12 weeks at 50% allowance.

vii)     If the individual ceased to be a Member in the three months following a return from maternity or adoption leave because they stood, but were not selected as a candidate by their party, or stood as a candidate in a local election but did not win their seat, they would not be required to repay the 12 weeks at 50% allowance.

viii)    Shared parental leave should only apply if both parents/legal guardians are Royal Borough councillors; the Basic allowance would continue to be paid whichever Member took the parental leave.

ix)       Shared parental leave does not apply to Special Responsibility Allowances unless, at the time of the child’s birth or placement with a family, both Members receive a Special Responsibility Allowance of the same value. In this scenario the Members could chose to share the parental leave related to their SRAs.

x)        The definition of ‘immediate family’ in the Dependant’s Carers’ section of the scheme be clarified to include: spouse/partner, parent/legal guardian, sibling and grandparent (including ‘step-’ and ‘half-’ designations where relevant).

xi)       Changes to the scheme be made with immediate effect.

xii)     Given that costs as a result of maternity, adoption or paternity leave will be incurred on an ad hoc basis, delegated authority be given to the Head of Finance to add necessary funding to the Member Allowances budget as and when required to cover costs incurred.