Witney News - Committee appeals for members

Committee appeals for members

West Oxfordshire District Council is looking to appoint three local people to be members of a Panel which reviews allowances payable to councillors.

Ideally the Council is looking for applicants with a good understanding of local government or public services. They should possess the relevant knowledge, skills and abilities that will enable them to make a meaningful contribution to the allowances process.

By law, West Oxfordshire District Council has to appoint and maintain an Independent Remuneration Panel to advise the Council on the level of allowances payable to district councillors. The Panel also acts in relation to town and parish councils within the district. Members of the Panel retire at different times, and those appointed this year will serve until 2015.

The Panel plays an important role by helping to ensure that democracy in the district continues to be accountable. Applicants cannot be elected members of the district council or any town or parish council in West Oxfordshire.

Meetings usually take place three or four times a year, during the autumn, at the council offices in Woodgreen, Witney.

Further details and an application form are on www.westoxon.gov.uk/panelmembership or anyone interested can call 01993 861521 or 861533 after 24 June. The closing date is Friday 8 July 2011.