Councillor expenses 2023
The Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 (Remuneration) Regulations 2007
The Local Government (Allowances and Expenses) (Scotland) Regulations 2007
Record of Payments of Remuneration, Allowances and Expenses made by Argyll and Bute Council for the period from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023
Argyll and Bute Council is required to publish a record of the payments made to Councillors in terms of the above regulations. The Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 (Remuneration) Regulations 2007 as amended make provisions for the payment of prescribed levels of remuneration by local authorities to Councillors. The Local Government (Allowances and Expenses) (Scotland) Regulations 2007 as amended make provision for the payment by local authorities to Councillors of certain types of allowance and reimbursement of expenditure incurred on approved duties of such Councillors.
Remuneration and Expenses
The tables below set out the payments made for the period from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023. The amounts shown are not the amounts actually received by Councillors. Firstly, the Remuneration payments shown are gross figures which are then subject to tax and national insurance deductions. Secondly, other expense payments relate solely to the reimbursement of actual expenditure incurred by the councillor and are all backed up with receipts. Thirdly, the Council decided that it would be more effective to provide a broadband connection for each Councillor for council business related communication and telephone calls. No reimbursement has been made to Councillors in respect of such costs – these are all paid for directly by the Council on behalf of Councillors.
It should be noted that the table includes all Elected Members who were active during the 2022/2023 financial year (those active till 4th May 2022 and those newly elected as of 5th May 2022).
Training
The Local Government Elections took place on 5th May 2022 at which point 36 Councillors were elected to represent the 11 Electoral Wards across Argyll and Bute. A comprehensive Elected Member Induction Programme took place in the weeks following the Election with further training and development opportunities provided thereafter which included the mandatory training required of Members in areas such as Planning and Licensing. A regular programme of Member Seminars has also been undertaken which has included sessions on the following:-
Elected Member Seminar Topics 2022/23 | Date |
---|---|
Levelling Up Fund | 29th June 2022 |
Corporate Complaints Process and Member Zone | 9th August 2022 |
Education Change Programme | 22nd August 2022 |
Rest and Be Thankful Campaign Group | 22nd September 2022 |
HIE and Calmac | 5th October 2022 |
Waste Strategy and Rothesay Pavilion | 17th November 2022 |
Poverty Awareness Training | 30th November 2022 |
Roads Capital Programme | 17th January 2023 |
Treasury Management and Budget Update | 24th January 2023 |
Scottish Approach to Service Design Community Asset Transfer Participation Requests |
21st March 2023 |
In addition to the Seminar programme there were a number of Committee Development Sessions which focused on key areas within the strategic remit of the particular committee. The Council has also worked with the Argyll and the Isles Coast and Countryside Trust to deliver a programme of Carbon Literacy training which has been completed by many of our Elected Members.
In the 2022/23 financial year following the relaxation of Coronavirus restrictions, meetings of the Council and Committees have been delivered on a Hybrid basis offering flexibility for Elected Members in terms of travel and attendance. Webcasting of all Council and Strategic Committees is also in place and the recordings are hosted on the Council website. Member Seminars have been held virtually making use of the Microsoft Teams Platform.
A programme of further Elected Member Development is currently being taken forward and will utilise the Political Skills Framework which has been developed by the Improvement Service and is used across other Local Authorities. All Elected Members will be encouraged to participate in the programme with an individual Development Plan being taken forward. In addition a selection of targeted sessions are being organised which will cover more general skills such as:-
- Political skills
- Strategic versus Operational
- Role of the Councillor
Elected Members who sit on external bodies also participate in a wide range of development activities organised directly by these organisations.
Douglas Hendry
Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support
1 June 2023