Independent Remuneration Panel - Panel Member

Job Introduction

About Us
Oxfordshire County Council is dedicated to maintaining high standards of local democracy and governance. We are seeking committed individuals to join our Independent Remuneration Panel, which plays a vital role in advising on councillor allowances and ensuring transparency and accountability in local government.

About the Role 
As a member of the Independent Remuneration Panel, you will be responsible for evaluating and making recommendations on various allowances for councillors, including basic, special responsibility, travel, subsistence, and co-optees' allowances. Your role will involve conducting research, interviewing councillors, and analyzing comparative data from other councils to ensure well-founded recommendations.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess and recommend the amount of basic allowance for elected members.
• Evaluate and suggest special responsibility allowances.
• Advise on travel and subsistence allowances.
• Recommend co-optees' allowances.
• Consider allowances for the care of children and dependants.
• Provide recommendations on backdating allowances and annual adjustments.
• Advise on pension entitlements for councillors.

Qualifications

• No specific qualifications required, but a general interest in local issues and public service is essential.
• Ability to act impartially and objectively.
• Understanding of local government and public service.
• Good standing in the community.
• Ability to make balanced and reasoned conclusions based on evidence.

Independence Criteria

To ensure independence, panel members must not be:

• Councillors, co-opted members, or officers of Oxfordshire County Council.
• Relatives or close friends of such persons.
• Members of any political party or have a public profile in political activities.

Terms of Appointment:

• Fixed term of two years, renewable once.
• Unsalaried role with a small payment of £500 per annum plus reasonable expenses.
• Appointment subject to approval by a majority of Council members.
• You will be required to collaborate on an annual report each year, plus a larger report every four years. We anticipate this looking like three of four meetings across a two month period ever year.

How to Apply: Interested candidates are invited to submit their application form detailing their experience and qualifications. For more information, or a further conversation about this opportunity please contact Colm O'Caomhanaigh, Democratic Services Manager at Colm.OCaomhanaigh@Oxfordshire.gov.uk

Our commitment to:
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to:
Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our commitment to:
Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Our commitment to:
Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, full time and part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

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If you encounter any technical issues with the application system, please contact us at: careers@oxfordshire.gov.uk