Agenda and decisions

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 2^nd October 2025.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the previous meeting be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Information pertaining to the Members' Code of Conduct and guidance relating to declaring interests can be found on the following webpage: Teignbridge District Council - Councillor-conduct

To agree a general dispensation in relation to the Members Allowances Scheme.

RESOLVED

That the Committee agree to:

1)    Approve the granting of a general dispensation to all Teignbridge District Councillors to be able to take part in discussions and vote in items of business relating to the Members’ Allowances Scheme.

2)    That the dispensations are granted until the next District Council elections, or until such time as the District Council ceases to exist, whichever event comes first.

To consider the following recommendations of the IRP to recommend to Full Council for adoption and include in the Members Scheme of Allowances. The full report of the IRP is attached.

1.     Travel for those receiving a Special Responsibility Allowance (SRA)

Recommended

The existing practice as set out in Section 8f of the Constitution – Members

Allowance Scheme as below be confirmed.

“The SRA is paid to recognise the additional commitment and time required to fulfil each role and covers subsistence and travel for attending meetings not listed in Appendix A.”

Outside the boundary of the District a separate travel claim can be made.

Justification - The Council should be consistent with the norm of other South West Councils as above.

2.     SRA for the Chair of the new Governance Committee

Recommended

The SRA for the Chair of the Governance Committee continue and be set at the current SRA of £3,159.71.

Justification – This is a reasonable remuneration given comparison with and

responsibility of other SRA positions.

3.      Annual review of expenditure and benchmarking

Recommended

There be no increase in the Council’s Basic Allowance other than the annual

increase in line with Local Authority employee pay increase.

Justification - The Basic Allowance for Teignbridge is acceptable given comparisons with other SW Districts. Benchmarking evidence 7 of the 14 SW Districts have a BA less than the Council and 6 greater.

RESOLVED

That the Committee recommend to Full Council that:

1.     Travel for those receiving a Special Responsibility Allowance (SRA)

Recommended

The existing practice as set out in Section 8f of the Constitution – Members Allowance Scheme as below be confirmed:

“The SRA is paid to recognise the additional commitment and time required to fulfil each role and covers subsistence and travel for attending meetings not listed in Appendix A.”

Outside the boundary of the District a separate travel claim can be made.

Justification - The Council should be consistent with the norm of other South West Councils as above

2.     SRA for the Chair of the new Governance Committee

Recommended

The SRA for the Chair of the Governance Committee continue and be set at the current SRA of £3,159.71.

Justification – This is a reasonable remuneration given comparison with and responsibility of other SRA positions.

3.     Annual review of expenditure and benchmarking

Recommended

There be no increase in the Council’s Basic Allowance other than the annual increase in line with Local Authority employee pay increase.

Justification - The Basic Allowance for Teignbridge is acceptable given comparisons with other SW Districts. Benchmarking evidence 7 of the 14 SW Districts have a BA less than the Council and 6 greater

To update Councillors on the Councillor Code of Conduct complaints received.

To appraise Members of the proposed reforms to the Standards and Code of Conduct Framework.

To review the Member Training and Briefing log from September – December 2025.

Verbal presentation from the Project Management and Performance Specialist to receive feedback on the Councillor Digital Skills Framework.

To discuss Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for Councillors, requested to be discussed by Councillor Nutley.

For information, to update Members on the work of the Constitution Review Working Group. The notes of the meetings on 16^th October, 6^th November, 26^th November and 18^th December are attached.