This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Local Governance (Scotland) Bill
10/07/2003
Three independent working groups have been established
to examine practical issues related to the draft Local
Governance (Scotland) Bill which will be introduced to
Parliament later this year.
Finance and Public Services Minister Andy Kerr said:
"The Partnership Agreement emphasised our belief in the
importance of elected local government. We are committed to
renewing local democracy, acting to improve democratic
participation and widening the range of people who become
involved in local government.
"This Bill is about local governance in the round. As
well as the introduction of proportional representation by
the Single Transferable Vote (STV), the Bill will include
measures that will widen access to council membership and
establish an independent remuneration committee for
councillors.
"This consultation offers an opportunity for people to
comment on the way in which we intend to implement those
changes before the Bill is introduced.
"The three progress groups on the STV, remuneration and
widening access will have a key role to play in taking
forward our renewing local democracy agenda. All three
groups will begin their work over the summer months."
Deputy Minister for Finance and Public Services Tavish
Scott added:
"We are already committed to introducing proportional
representation by the STV for the next local government
elections, to widening access to council membership and to
establishing a new, fairer system of remuneration for
councillors.
"But this consultation on the Bill marks a significant
step forward, and offers an opportunity for people to
comment on the way in which we intend to implement those
policies in legislation."
The Local Governance (Scotland) Bill will:
- introduce STV for the next local government
elections
- bring the age at which people can stand as a
councillor down to 18
- remove unnecessary political restrictions on
standing for local authority elections
- establish an independent remuneration committee for
councillors
The consultation paper seeks views on the practical
issues surrounding the implementation of this
legislation.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The three Renewing Local Democracy Working Groups will
take forward work on some of the practical issues arising
from the introduction of the Single Transferable Vote, on
councillors' remuneration and on widening access to council
membership. All three groups will begin their work over the
summer months, and will each have a lifespan of about a
year. CoSLA and a small number of other organisations have
been invited to take part in the Working Groups.
The Single Transferable Vote Working Group will examine
the procedures necessary to facilitate council elections
being held using the Single Transferable Vote, of how
multi-member wards will operate in practice, and will
commission research and other information as required.
The Councillors' Remuneration Progress Group will
consider options for, and the associated costs of, a new
system of remuneration for councillors. The Group will also
consider the role which councillors fulfil, the part-time
commitment required of the majority of councillors, and the
salary which this should attract. The Group will also
consider the practical implications of giving councillors
access to a pension scheme and options for a one-off
severance scheme intended to recompense long-serving
councillors who will not be standing at the next election,
the remit of the Remuneration Committee which the Local
Governance (Scotland) Act will establish and the skills and
experience needed by its members.
The Widening Access to Council Membership Progress Group
will take forward work on making council membership more
attractive to a wider cross-section of the community,
including the preparation of non-statutory guidance on the
definition of politically restricted posts, and make
recommendations on the training, development and support
given to councillors.