Connect with us

News

‘Significant reasons’ to increase allowance

Avatar photo

Published

on

An independent panel has recommended a pay rise to £86,121 from next year for Dr Nik Johnson, mayor of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.

The recommendation will be put to the combined authority board this week.

The panel comprised a Cambridgeshire resident Nicky Blanning, business consultant Gerard Dempsey, company director Jennifer Horn and marketing consultant/magistrate Amanda Orchard.

Their “significant reasons” for recommending the increase are contained in their report.

It says: “Under the 2019 accepted independent panel recommendations the level of mayoral allowance at the start of the 2022/23 municipal year would be £86,121 or higher, set against the current indexation of the Consumer Price Index.”

The panel felt this decision should be respected.

The panel said they did “not identify any evidence that the position of mayor at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority had diminished and/or warranted the level of allowance to be reduced”.

They felt the level of mayoral allowance be indexed against the National Joint Council cost of living increase each year rather than the Consumer Price Index.

“The CPI indexation is not considered to be appropriate for the position of mayor,” they concluded.

“The NJC indexation is not only considered to be more appropriate for the position it is also considered to be more equitable, more in line with staff pay increases and less of a political and reputational risk to the Combined Authority.

“The current CPI indexation would increase the level of mayoral allowance above that which the Panel is of the view should apply to the role.”

The panel says the mayoral allowances are due to be next reviewed in early 2025 to be applicable from the beginning of the mayoral term in May 2025. 77.

“If appropriate indexation against NJC is applied then the panel is of the view that an independent review every two years is no longer required.”

A 2017 review recommended an allowance of £75,000 per annum be payable to the mayor and that the allowance should not be indexed for inflationary purposes now but should instead be subject to review before the expiry of 24 months from the date that the scheme of allowances is adopted.

“Significant reasons” for recommending a pay increase for Mayor Dr Nik Johnson have been published by an independent panel.

The Combined Authority Board subsequently endorsed the recommendations.

The 2019 review recommended an allowance of £80,000 per annum be payable to the mayor and that the indexation factor be set as the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Advertisements
canopyuk.com in-article

The panel says the mayor oversees a £20 million annual budget devolved from government and has devolved powers to spend up to £800 million on local housing, infrastructure, and jobs.

Additionally, the panel noted that £600 million has been allocated to the Combined Authority to improve infrastructure, £100 million for new affordable housing, with an additional £70 million specifically for affordable housing in Cambridge itself.

The budget for Adult Education has also now been devolved to the mayor and the Combined Authority.

“As chair of the Combined Authority board, with some decision-making requiring specific mayoral support to progress, the mayor has a vital role in ensuring the Combined Authority Board works collaboratively in order to arrive at consensus to enable it to deliver its key functions,” says the panel.

They were of the view “that this is a considerable responsibility given the budget, subject matter, powers, and responsibilities of the Combined Authority board”.

The current remuneration for Combined Authority mayors is as follows:

Greater Manchester £110,000 (includes PCC & Fire responsibilities)

Liverpool City Region £80,631

North of Tyne £65,000

South Yorkshire £79,000

Tees Valley £65,000

West Midlands £79,000 (currently subject to IRP review)

West of England £72,000 (due to increase to £87k by 2025)

West Yorkshire £105,000 (includes PCC & Fire responsibilities)

The panel noted that this created a national average remuneration (allowance) of £81,953. 44.

Facebook

Read More

News1 month ago

Ely ‘hit and run’ driver sought after cyclist left with serious injuries

Cyclist injured in crash with a grey car in Lynn Road, Ely

News1 month ago

WATCH: Police retrieve machete and cannabis from Peterborough drug dealer

Offender caught again whilst on bail for first offence

News1 month ago

BREAKING: Cambridgeshire County Council ‘truly sorry’ after it admits liability for 3 fatalities on Guided Busway

Council 'fully acknowledges the serious historic failings'

News1 month ago

WATCH: ‘You got me fair and square’ Wisbech burglar tells police in Peterborough

He was arrested in Peterborough city centre on 26 April

News1 month ago

WATCH: Police raid cannabis ‘factory’ inside Alconbury Weston house

Cannabis arrest followed a tip off from members of the public

News2 months ago

3 things to do while in the queue for an Oasis ticket – and it’s not what you might think

Tongue in cheek post has a serious message

News2 months ago

Cambs transport charity launches scathing attack after losing subsidised bus route to Stagecoach

FACT operated the 68 Wisbech service for a number of years

News2 months ago

Mayor attacks ‘cheap theatre of negativity’ over £48m Peterborough station facelift

Labour hopes Great Northern Hotel will be in future phase of re-development

News2 months ago

Opposition to 8am to 11pm pavement wining and dining in Wisbech by Wetherspoon

In Whittlesey Wetherspoon hope to use Market Place for outdoor drinkers

News2 months ago

Cambridge ‘drug lord’ caught with loaded gun, cash, and £500,000 worth of drugs

Rahman ran a criminal enterprise across Cambridge