Agenda and minutes

Consider report by Chief Executive on Scheme of Remuneration for Members.  (Copy to follow.)

There had been circulated copies of a report by the Chief Executive seeking approval for amendments to the Scheme of Member Remuneration and an amendment to the Scheme of Administration.  The report explained that at its meeting held on 18 May 2017, Council decided the number of “Senior Councillors” and made appointments to these posts; the total allowed budget for this was limited by the Regulations to £296,240.  Following consideration of the responsibilities to be borne by the Senior Councillors, as indicated by the Administration, a Scheme of Remuneration had been drawn up that sought to recognise the differing significance of what was involved in each role.  Details of the Scheme were contained in the Appendix to the report.  At the Council meeting on 18 May 2017, amendments were made to the membership of the Executive Committee.  Councillor McAteer was appointed as Chair of the Police, Fire & Rescue, and Safer Communities Board and it was now proposed that Councillor McAteer be appointed as Executive Member for Community Safety and became a member of the Executive Committee, and the Scheme of Administration amended accordingly.

DECISION

AGREED that:-

(a)     the Scheme of Member Remuneration be amended so that the 14 posts (excluding the Leader and Convener)  detailed in Appendix I to this Minute be designated as Senior Councillors, with their remuneration set at the levels shown; and

(b)     the Executive Member for Community Safety be added to the membership of the Executive Committee in the Scheme of Administration.

Consider adoption of revised Scheme of Administration.  (Copy to follow.)

There had been circulated copies of an interim Scheme of Administration which had been amended to take account of the structure proposed by the Council’s Administration.  Some further amendments were tabled at the meeting.  The Clerk to the Council outlined the changes which had been made.  Councillor Haslam, seconded by Councillor Bell, moved approval of the Scheme and this was unanimously approved.

DECISION

AGREED the interim Scheme of Administration, as contained in Appendix II to this Minute.

Consider appointments to Committees in accordance with the Interim Scheme of Administration.  (Copy schedule to follow.)

The Council considered the appointment of Members to various Committees, Sub-Committees etc. in accordance with the interim Scheme of Administration, approved at paragraph 2 above.  Councillor Haslam, seconded by Councillor Chapman, moved approval or noting of the Councillors who had been nominated to take up these appointments and this was unanimously approved.

DECISION

AGREED to approve the appointments as detailed in Appendix III to this Minute.

Consider appointment of Members to Outside Bodies.  (Copy schedule to follow.)

There had been circulated copies of a list detailing the outside bodies to which the Council were required to appoint representatives.  Councillor Haslam, seconded by Councillor Chapman, moved approval of the Councillors who had been nominated to take up these appointments.  Councillor Bell proposed that the Council should write to the A7 Action Group and ask that the Council be granted a further place given that the A7 passed through a number of Wards.  He further proposed that if this was granted that Councillor Ramage take up the extra place and this was unanimously accepted.

DECISION

AGREED:-

(a)      to approve the list of appointments as contained in Appendix IV to this Minute; and

(b)    that the A7 Action Group be requested to grant the Council a further place on their Group and if this was accepted that Councillor Ramage be appointed.

Consider report by Chief Executive seeking approval for a response to Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority Consultation Paper on ‘Our 10 Year Strategy for Policing in Scotland’.  (Copy report attached.)

There had been circulated copies of a report by the Chief Executive seeking approval for a response to Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority Consultation Paper on ‘Our 10 Year Strategy for Policing in Scotland’.  The report explained that Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority had developed jointly and collaboratively a proposed ten-year strategy to ensure that Scottish policing remained fit for the future. Within the plan it was indicated that the police service needed to adapt and transform as the pace of change across society accelerated. The deadline for the consultation period was 29 May 2017.  The key messages were that this was a long term strategy that ensured that the police service: showed continued improvement; was relevant to the issues that it needed to address; maintained public consent; enhanced its legitimacy; and showed financial stability. The need to operate within available funding was a particular requirement. Mention was also made of the strategy improving the outcomes for people, communities and places; and developing a diverse workforce with the right balance of experience, skills, professionalism and capabilities. The proposed Council response was supportive of the Strategy for Policing in Scotland. However, issues were raised about how the national Strategy related to policing in rural areas and small towns, local police plans, community approaches, and cross borders issues; cyber-crime; police legacy IT systems; and the need for more explanation about the role expected by partners to support the outcomes envisaged in the national Strategy particularly in relation to prevention and early intervention and how this should be resourced.  Members supported the proposed response.

DECISION

AGREED to approve the response, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, to Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority Consultation Paper on ‘Our 10 Year Strategy for Policing in Scotland’.

Consider report by Chief Executive on the allowances paid to Members during 2016/17.  (Copy to follow.)

There had been circulated copies of a report by the Chief Executive detailing the allowances paid to Members during 2016/17, which the Council required to publish in terms of Regulation 6(5) of the Local Government (Allowances and Expenses) (Scotland) Regulations 2007.  Appendix 1 to the report detailed the allowances paid to Councillors in 2016/17 and Appendix 2 detailed attendance at training events and conferences.  Overall these payments totalled £772,974.98. 

DECISION

AGREED that the information in the Appendices to the report be published on the Council’s website, in order to meet the publicity requirements of the Local Government (Allowances and Expenses)(Scotland) Regulations 2007.

Consider arrangements for Kirking of the Council.

The Council considered the arrangements for the Kirking of the Council.  The Convener proposed that a date in August/September be selected and that a multi-faith service be held in Melrose.

DECISION

NOTED that the Convener would select a suitable date in August/September andMembers would be issued further details in due course.