Covering Letter
To:
John Swinney MSP
Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth
1 I have pleasure in presenting the third report of the Scottish Local Authorities Remuneration Committee looking into firstly remuneration levels for the next 2 years - 2010 to 2012, secondly compliance by local authorities on the publication of information on councillors' salaries, allowances and expenses and thirdly monitoring civic heads' expenditure.
2 As an independent statutory Committee, we have endeavoured to take an objective view. We have also adhered to the criteria you set for the Committee, ensured that these key principles were included in our consideration of the issues, and are reflected in our final recommendations.
3 At the time of writing, much ongoing debate on the issue of public sector pay over the next few years has taken place and continues to move apace. However, we have had to take a view on what the outcome, from all these ongoing discussions, might be to enable us to meet your deadline. The present economic situation has thrown up many challenges in trying to be fair, whilst being very conscious of the budgetary pressures anticipated by local authorities over the period covered by this review. Particularly in relation to the 2011-12 financial year, we are venturing into uncharted territory and we recognise that some elected members may be disappointed with the outcome we have recommended. Nevertheless, the vast majority of councillors we met during this review were clear that they would not wish any uplifts to their salaries to be significantly different from that which is being offered to local government staff.
4 On compliance, I am pleased to report that 31 of the 32 Councils are now compliant on publication of information on councillors' salaries, allowances and expenses for 2008-09. The other Council has indicated that its publication will be compliant from 2009-10.
5 Lastly, you also indicated in December 2008 that you were content, in principle, for the Committee to consider in 2010-11 issues arising from our 2008 review which were outwith the scope of the 2008 review. This report identifies further issues which we would like you to consider in deciding on the scope of the 2010 review.
6 The Committee's advice is the result of a genuine team effort. Members have brought to the Committee a wealth of knowledge and experience which has been invaluable in taking our work forward. I am grateful to all members of the Committee and to its Secretary for their support, advice and counsel.
Ian Livingstone
November 2009