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The West Midlands Combined Authority, alongside West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority, are seeking to appoint new members to serve on our Independent Remuneration Panel.
The West Midlands Combined Authority comprises a directly elected Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillors who are elected or appointed to determine the policies and priorities of a large and complex combined authority. The Mayor and their Deputy undertake a wide range of roles and receive a basic allowance. Councillors who sit on some of our Boards and Committees also receive an allowance, and those who Chair the meetings also receive a special responsibility allowance, in accordance with the Authority’s Members’ Allowances Scheme.
West Midlands Fire Service is the second largest fire and rescue service in England, with nearly 2000 members of staff serving a population of over 2.9 million people.
West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority is the supervisory body that ensures that West Midlands Fire Service performs efficiently and in the best interests of the public and the community it serves. It comprises fifteen elected members who represent the seven local authorities that make up the West Midlands in proportion to their size, the West Midlands Police & Crime Commissioner, and two co-opted Members. Similarly to the West Midlands Combined Authority, WMFRA has a Members Allowances Scheme which outlines the basic and special responsibility allowances that Members can receive dependent upon their role within the authority (note: some roles, including the Special Observers, do not qualify for allowances).
As required by law, the West Midlands Combined Authority has established an Independent Remuneration Panel to provide advice on the nature and level of allowances to be paid to those who are eligible. The Authority must have regard to this advice when reviewing or amending its allowances scheme. There is no statutory requirement for the West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority to hold an Independent Remuneration Panel. However, the authority is required to have regard to the allowances paid within its constituent authorities, and in the interests of good governance, will also follow the same process.
It should be noted that although members of the independent remuneration panel will be asked to review various aspects of the respective allowance schemes of both organisations, the WMCA and WMFRA hold very specific and individual requirements and demands, reflecting both the different nature of each organisation, but also the different governance models and frameworks that they operate within. As a result, being a member of the panel provides a unique opportunity to become involved in and to understand the differing complexities of two diverse local government organisations.
Ideally, the Panel should comprise representatives of the public, private and third sectors. We are looking for members of the public who are able to make informed, impartial contributions to panel meetings and the recommendations to the Authority.
You should have some understanding of the roles and responsibilities of Mayors and Councillors and the operation of a large public sector body. Ideally, you will also have a general awareness of remuneration levels in the public and private sectors.
Applicants must be independent of both Authorities.
This voluntary role will normally entail attending 2 to 4 meetings per year (often remote meetings using Teams) together with some email contact to finalise reports.
Panel members are appointed for four years.
Information for Applicants
Legislation prohibits an Independent Member from being:
- A member of the Combined orFire and Rescue Authority or a member of a committee or sub-committee of the Combined Authority and / or West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority;
- Or is disqualified from being or becoming a member of the Combined Authority/ West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority.
A valid Right-to-Work is required for this post, and sponsorship is not available. Please note this is an unpaid role, and only any expenses incurred whilst carrying out the role will be reimbursed.
