This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Local democracy working groups
29/08/2003
The chairpersons and membership of the three working
groups being established to examine the practical issues
related to the Local Governance (Scotland) Bill were
announced today.
The establishment of the groups was announced on July 10
alongside publication of the draft Local Governance
(Scotland) Bill for consultation.
The Single Transferable Vote Working Group
will be chaired by David Green, Chairperson of the
Crofters' Commission and former Convener of Highland
Council.
The Councillors' Remuneration Progress
Group will be chaired by Lord Sewel, Senior
Vice-Principal at Aberdeen University.
The Widening Access to Council Membership Progress
Group will be chaired by Rowena Arshad, Director
of the Centre for Education for Racial Equality in
Scotland, University of Edinburgh.
Public Services Minister Andy Kerr said:
"I am delighted that David Green, John Sewel and Rowena
Arshad have agreed to take on these roles. There is much to
be done in taking forward our renewing local democracy
agenda. These groups will tackle some of the practical
issues which the Local Governance Bill will raise.
"The Chairpersons have the experience and skills needed
to get to grips with some very complex issues and I hope
the groups will begin their work in earnest in the next few
weeks."
Full Membership of each group and its purpose:
Single Transferable Vote Working Group
- David Green, former Convener, Highland Council,
(Chairperson)
- Leslie Evans, Scottish Executive
- Jeff Hawkins, Society of Local Authority Lawyers
and Administrators =20
- Councillor Jim McCabe, Convention of Scottish Local
Authorities
- Dr Vicki Nash, Society of Local Authority Chief
Executives
- Billy Pollock, Association of Electoral
Administrators
- Dr Ken Ritchie, Electoral Reform Society
- Bob Smith, Local Government Boundary Commission for
Scotland
The STV 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.
Councillors' Remuneration Progress
Group
- Lord Sewel, Senior Vice-Principal, University of
Aberdeen (Chairperson)
- Tom Aitchison, Society of Local Authority Chief
Executives
- Councillor Sam Campbell, National Association of
Councillors
- Leslie Evans, Scottish Executive
- Ralph Garden, Scottish Public Pensions Agency
- Professor Michael Horsman, former Director, Office
of Manpower Economics
- Graeme Millar, Scottish Consumer Council
- Councillor Pat Watters, Convention of Scottish
Local Authorities
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) Bill will establish and the skills and
experience needed by its members.
Widening Access to Council Membership Progress
Group
- Rowena Arshad, Director of the Centre for Education
for Racial Equality in Scotland, University of
Edinburgh (Chairperson)
- Leslie Evans, Scottish Executive
- Claire Judson, National Union of Students
- Susan Love, Federation of Small Businesses
- Councillor Corrie McChord, Convention of Scottish
Local Authorities
- Fiona Smith, Scottish Youth Parliament
- John Wilkes, Equalities Co-ordinating Group
- A former councillor (name to be advised)
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.