Chamber and committees

I was not going to ask any questions about pay and remuneration, but I have a couple of points, following the discussions that we have had this morning, on which I am looking for clarification. Many councillors, particularly administrative councillors, get paid a responsibility allowance and also get fees from external organisations such as health boards. Are there any thoughts on whether that should continue?

You come in first, Steven.

Is there any evidence to highlight that the polarisation of politics has put people off becoming councillors?

I will just leave it at that. Thanks very much, convener.

[Inaudible.]

Thank you and good morning, panel. I declare that my wife is a local government councillor and is also a council group leader.

As the convener has said, I want to ask you about the barriers to local elected office that some of my colleagues have already touched on. Recommendation 15 is:

“to strengthen requirements on councillors to perform the link to their duties.”

Recommendation 16 is:

“to assure themselves that councillors are able to fulfil their statutory duties.”

Recommendation 22 is:

“to provide a minimum level of Members Support Services.”

My experience of the local authority for which my wife has been an elected councillor since 2007 is that it has one support worker per more than five councillors. Do you have any thoughts on what the minimum level of member support for councillors should be—in particular, opposition councillors—and what that should include?

My point in raising the question was that, if there is to be a strengthening of requirements on councillors to perform their duties, it has to go hand in hand with more support.

Is there enough training for new councillors and on-going training, in particular on dealing with the media, how to handle surgeries, how to make speeches in the chamber and cross-examine council officials? Is there enough training, because many people who might consider being a councillor will not have much experience in those areas?

Yes.

It might be helpful if you could send the committee some more information on that.

I apologise for missing you out.