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 2019 to 31 March 2020

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 attached set out the payments made for the period from 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020. 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. These are included in the table this year reflecting revised guidance issued on such costs.

Training

During 2019/20 Argyll and Bute Council ran a comprehensive development programme which included an Elected Member Seminar Programme and Committee Development Sessions. The Seminar Programme addressed the following topics:

DATE                               TOPIC

20th February 2020        Budget

11th November 2019      Living Wage Project

                                       Rural Growth Deal

                                       Argyll and West Dunbartonshire Division Local Policing
                                       Plan   

                                       2020 – 2023

                                       Update on the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR)

                                       Performance and Scrutiny

                                       Review of Scheme of Health and Social Care Integration

                                       ICT Training Workshop

17th October 2019          Budget

19th August 2019            Accounts Commission – Local Government in Scotland

                                        Best Value 3

                                        Capital Monitoring Development

                                        Front Foot Customer Engagement

                                        Refugee Resettlement Programme

17th June 2019                National Transport Strategy / Strategic Transport Projects    

                                        Review

                                        Living Wage Project

                                        Commercialism         

Committee Development Sessions are focused on key areas within the strategic remit of the particular committee including engagement with external organisations such as SEPA. Committee Development Sessions covered the following topics:

Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee (PPSL)

DATE                               TOPIC

18th March 2020             Energy Efficiency

22nd January 2020         Affordable Housing

18th December 2019       Planning (Scotland) Act 2019

20th November 2019       Low Carbon Technology and New Development

23rd October 2019           Community Food Growing Strategy 2020 – 2025

17th September 2019      Aquaculture

21st August 2019             Competent Motions

19th June 2019                Oban Strategic Development Framework

22nd May 2019                 Area Capacity Studies

Audit and Scrutiny Committee

DATE                               TOPIC

17th March 2020             Scrutiny – Lessons Learned

18th June 2019                Local Government Benchmarking Framework

Elected Members are encouraged to participate in the continuous development framework (CPD) for elected members in Scottish Local Government. The Framework has been developed in conjunction with elected members and councils across Scotland and includes a wide range of political skills and behaviours for elected members to consider including a personal development plan. Engagement in the framework is voluntary. It covers areas such as:

• how to deal with ward issues and to represent constituent needs effectively
• political awareness and understanding within the Council
• effective communication
• analysis and problem solving
• negotiation and lobbying

Additional continuous professional development activities have included participation in planning and licensing related training and IT skills development.

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 of Customer Services

1 June 2020