Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales meeting: 18 October 2022

Frances Duffy, Chair
Saz Willey, Vice Chair
Ruth Glazzard
Bev Smith
Leighton Jones, Secretariat to the IRPW
Tom Smithson, Welsh Government official (to discuss one agenda item)

The Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (the Panel) met on Tuesday 18 October.

The aim of the meeting was to review the objectives set on their 2022 to 2023 remit letter, prepare for a Welsh Government event in December and discuss the White Paper on Electoral Administration and Reform.   

The Panel were provided with an update from Tom Smithson on his effectiveness review of the Panel.

In the morning, the Chair and Vice Chair also met the Society of Local Council Clerks to discuss the proposals in the 2023 draft annual report, as part of engaging with their stakeholders.

This meeting was also the last for Ruth Glazzard, who has stepped down from her position as Member to start a new role. Ruth was thanked for her time and work on the Panel.

Below summarises the Panel’s discussions and decisions.

The Panel reviewed each objective of the remit letter for 2022 to 2023 that were set in March 2022. The Panel considered what work had been achieved and what was required to address any issues that had yet to be completed.

The Panel were updated on the effectiveness review by Tom Smithson. Tom presented his initial findings and will follow up these conclusions with a written report to be agreed with the Panel at their November meeting.

The Panel considered the consultation questions that were in the white paper and provided their initial thoughts on the content. The Panel agreed to draft answers to the questions relating to their work. These answers will be presented and finalised at their November meeting ahead of the 10 January deadline.

The Panel discussed and agreed a response to a query received by a principal council. This query asked the Panel for advice and clarification relating to payments made to co-opted members of principal councils. The Panel were also invited to a Community and Town Council liaison committee meeting in November.

The next meeting of the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales will take place on Wednesday 30 November.

The 2023 draft annual report was published on the 6 October. The deadline for consultation period closes on 1 December 2022. The draft annual report can be found here.

The Panel would welcome feedback on this draft Report and have included some additional questions where we would appreciate your views.

Should you have any matters you wish to raise with the Panel, please do not hesitate to get in touch via the Secretariat by emailing IRPMailbox@gov.wales.