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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 Â鶹¸ßÇå and Bute Council for the period from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025

Â鶹¸ßÇå 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 table below sets out the payments made for the period from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. 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 – these are paid for directly by the Council on behalf of Councillors. These are included in the table reflecting revised guidance issued on such costs.

It should be noted that the table includes all Elected Members who were active during the 2024/2025 financial year. 

Training

A regular Â鶹¸ßÇå of Member Seminars has been undertaken during the period, which has included sessions on the following:-

In addition to the Seminar Â鶹¸ßÇå there were a number of Committee Development Sessions which focused on key areas within the strategic remit of the particular committee.  This included a session for all Members on the Mull Campus site selection which was held in advance of the Special Council meeting held on 7th March 2025.

In the 2024/25 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. 

There is continued engagement in the Elected Member Development Framework which gives 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.  Following the change in Council Administration in April 2024, the Council engaged the Local Government Information Unit (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 Council also worked with the LGIU to deliver modules covering Advanced Communications Training and the Persuasive Councillor which were available to all Members. 

We have also introduced all of our Elected Members to the Council’s online learning platform (LEON) and have created a learning community specifically for Members.  This allows our Elected Members to access a variety of online modules, podcasts and other materials which can be accessed at their leisure.

In 2025/2026 we will build on the development work already undertaken and will look to take forward opportunities for further targeted sessions.

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 2025