Council to consider paying independent persons

Herefordshire Council will consider paying the independent persons who review conduct complaints against its elected members.

Councillors agreed earlier this month that full council should consider proposals to pay an allowance for this position.

There are seven independent persons in the county and these are consulted with regarding complaints made against councillors.

Standards panels are also chaired by an independent person.

The county council has never paid them an allowance despite this being permitted.

However, officers say the workload has increased over the years and an allowance may be appropriate.

Councillor Peter Jinman proposed that a payment should be during the audit and governance on May 5. This was seconded by coun Christy Bolderson and the committee approved.

The allowance will be decided by an independent remuneration panel.