Chamber and committees

I wonder whether someone from SLARC could clear up an issue that I picked up when you appeared before us previously, which was about disconnecting the recommendation on remuneration from an hourly rate and making the situation similar to that for MSPs, whereby they get paid a certain amount but there is no hourly rate. I see nodding heads; perhaps Martin McElroy can tidy that up for me.

Angela Leitch has indicated that she would like to respond to Fulton MacGregor’s earlier question.

Thanks for asking that, Miles.

The imbalance in representation came up with the previous panel—I think that Angela Leitch talked about it. Regardless of whether someone is a senior councillor or a councillor, we are in a time when we do not have that proper representation and when very difficult decisions need to be made. It is very important to have that representation at all levels in the council so that the decisions about how the budget spend falls support the people who we have been talking about—those who face barriers to local elected office—and we have in that space people of colour, people with disabilities, women, single parents and so on. We have to change the make-up. I think that we all agree with that.

Good morning, and welcome to the 24th meeting in 2024 of the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee. I remind all members and witnesses to ensure that their devices are on silent.

Today Emma Roddick MSP will be joining us online. I welcome Fulton MacGregor to his first meeting as a member of the committee. Our first item of business today is to invite him to declare any relevant interests.

Thank you very much, and welcome to the committee.

The next item on our agenda is take evidence on the Scottish local authorities remuneration committee—SLARC—recommendations for councillors’ remuneration and expenses from two panels of witnesses. On our first panel we are joined in the room by Jane O’Donnell, who is chief executive of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities; and by two former members of SLARC, David Heaney and Martin McElroy. We are also joined online by Angela Leitch, who is a former convener of SLARC. I welcome the witnesses to the meeting.

I invite Angela Leitch and Jane O’Donnell to begin by making short opening statements.

Thank you very much.

Thank you very much for that detail. Jane O’Donnell, do you want to come in on that?

I come back to Angela Leitch with a bit of a practical question. When you wrote to the cabinet secretary, you mentioned that SLARC completed its task with only six members rather than seven, which had been the original intention. I am interested to understand the reason for that and the impact that it might have had on the committee’s work.

Under the circumstances, you managed to do a good job, so thanks very much for that. Willie Coffey has some questions.