Councillor expenses 2023 -24

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 2023 to 31 March 2024

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 2023 to 31 March 2024. 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, where necessary, to provide a broadband connection for Councillors for council business related communication and telephone calls. No reimbursement has been made to Councillors in respect of such costs – when required 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 2023/2024 financial year. 

Training

A regular programme of Member Seminars has been undertaken during the period, which has included sessions on the following:-

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. 

In the 2023/24 financial year, 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. 

The Elected Member Development Framework has now been agreed with the opportunity for Councillors to participate in the Political Skills Assessment which has been developed by the Improvement Service and is used across Scotland.  This Assessment is used as a first stage to facilitate discussion with Members in terms of ongoing development needs.  The Council has also worked with the LGIU to deliver a targeted session for Senior Councillors which covered areas such as political skills, the role of the Councillor and operating in a strategic environment. The offer of further development opportunities has also been progressed with some of our Members undertaking Chair Training via the LGIU.

In 2024/2025 we will build on the development work already undertaken and will look to take forward opportunities for the introduction of online learning, creating a learning community for our Elected Members. We will also aim to deliver further targeted development sessions taking account of identified needs.

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 2024