Members Allowances and Expenses 2008/09
Background
The Scottish Local Authorities Remuneration Committee (SLARC) “Review of Remuneration Arrangements for Local Authority Councillors” led to the introduction of an entirely new scheme of allowances described in the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 (Remuneration) Regulations 2007 and the Local Government (Allowances and Expenses) (Scotland) Regulations 2007, which took effect on 3 May 2007.
Councillor’ salaries were increased by 2.5% from 1 April 2008 in accordance with The Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 (Remuneration) Amendment Regulations 2008.
As a result, the annual amount payable to each Councillor increased from £15,452 to £15,838 per annum unless he or she is entitled to one of the higher amounts payable to the Leader of the Council, the Convener and Senior Councillors.
The Leader of the Council was paid £31,678 per annum from 1 April 2008 (previously £30,905) and the Convener £23,759 per annum from 1 April 2008 (previously £23,179), these amounts being specified in the Regulations.
The number of Senior Councillors and the amounts payable were for determination by each local authority in accordance with criteria specified in the Regulations. This was done at the Scottish Borders Council meeting on 24 May 2007 with the 2.5% increase applied from 1 April 2008.
The Local Government (Allowances and Expenses) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2008 amended the rate payable for travel by private car or van on approved duties from 49.3p to 40p per mile with effect from 10 February 2009.
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