Commentary on Sections Part 2 Elected Bodies and Their Members Chapter 2: Remuneration of Elected Members Section 69A – Function relating to payments to members
136.Section 69A sets out the functions of the Commission in respect of payments to members of a relevant authority. For the financial year beginning 1 April 2025 and for each following financial year, the Commission must decide the relevant matters for which a relevant authority is required or is authorised to make payments to members of the authority.
137.“Relevant matters” are defined in subsection (2) as matters that relate to the official business of members (as defined in section 69A(11)) or periods of family absence that members are entitled to have under Part 2 of the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011.
138.Subsection (3) requires the Commission to set the amount that must be paid to a member or the maximum amount that can be paid to a member. The Commission may decide that payments cannot be paid to more than a fixed proportion or specified number of members of a relevant authority. The proportion or number (as the case may be) cannot exceed 50% unless the Welsh Ministers give their consent.
139.The Commission may set the maximum percentage or other rate by which a relevant authority can adjust for a financial year the amounts that had effect in respect of relevant matters for the previous financial year. An index can also be set.
140.The Commission must, when setting an amount, making a determination or setting a rate or index, take into account the likely financial impact of its decisions on relevant authorities.