Joint Independent Remuneration Panel
The arrangements for determining allowances for elected members are set down in statutory regulations. These are the Local Authorities (Members’ Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003 (SI 1021) and subsequent amendments to the regulations (SI 2003/1022 and SI 2003/1692).
Each local authority is required to maintain an Independent Panel to make recommendations to the Council on Members’ Allowances and allowances payable to independent and co-opted members.
The County Council, Mendip District Council and Somerset West and Taunton Council have established a Joint Independent Remuneration Panel (JIRP) to advise the councils on their respective schemes.
View recent JIRP reports on Somerset County Council’s Scheme of Members’ Allowances, together with the Council’s decisions in response to the panel’s reports below.
Report of the Joint Independent Remuneration Panel – Members Allowances 2022/23
Report to County Council – May 2021
Council decision on the JIRP recommendations – 19 July 2017
Somerset County Council operates a Members’ Allowances Scheme.
Under the Scheme:
- Each County Councillor (also referred to by the term ‘Member’) receives a basic allowance for undertaking their Council duties.
- Certain members are paid Special Responsibility Allowances to undertake specific additional duties
- Members can claim travel costs, subsistence costs, and dependent carers’ cost whilst undertaking approved duties, subject to certain conditions
- Independent co-opted members of the committees can claim travel and subsistence costs and co-opted members of the Standards Committee receive a co-opted members’ allowance.
Allowances and expenses
To view the amount paid to councillors and co-opted members in allowances and expenses, please choose the relevant year below
Statutory Notice of Member Allowances for 2022/23
Scheme of Member Allowances for 2022/23
Statutory Notice of Member Allowances for 2021/22
Scheme of Member Allowances for 2021/22
Allowances and expenses paid to members in the financial year 2020/21
Members Allowances Public Notice – September 2020
Scheme of Members Allowances 2020/21
Members Allowances report 2019/20
Statutory Notice of Members Allowances for 2019/20
Scheme of Members Allowances for 2019/20
Scheme of Members’ Allowances for 2018/19
Statutory Notice of Members’ Allowances for 2018/19
Scheme of Members’ Allowances for 2017/18
Statutory Notice of Members’ Allowances for 2017/18
Allowances and expenses paid to members in the financial year 2018/19
Allowances and expenses paid to members in the financial year 2017/18
Contact the team
For more information please contact:
Andrew Melhuish – Service Manager – Democratic Services
Email – andrew.melhuish@somerset.gov.uk
Phone 01823 357628
Email the team democraticservicesteam@somerset.gov.uk
Phone 01823 357628 or 01823 359500