------ Original Message ------
To: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sent: Friday, November 15th 2024, 10:00
Subject: Chairing /Non Chairing of Planning Application/LRB Committees/Senior Council Salary of £25,128 as compared to basic salary of £20,099

Dear Council Leader Cllr Owen O'Donnell

Senior Councillors with special responsibilities payments of currently £25,128 as compared to basic salary of currently £20,099

The current Planning Applications/LRB Committee Chair was appointed Planning Applications/LRB Committee Chair in May 2022.

As a result, the current Planning Applications/LRB Committee Chair was appointed a Senior Councillor and takes payment currently £25,128 as compared to basic salary of currently £20,099.

There have been 18 Planning Application Meetings and 15 Local Review Body(LRB) meetings since May 2022.

The Current Chair has Chaired 6 of 18 of these Planning Application Meetings and 2 of 15 of these Local Review Body meetings.

However,it appears the current Chair Planning Applications/LRB Committee continues to be classed as a Senior Councillor taking the renumeration of currently £25,128 as compared to basic salary of currently £20,099.

EAST RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL - 1 MARCH 2023 - Report by Director of Business Operations and Partnerships
SCHEME FOR MEMBERS’ REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES 2022/23

'EAST RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL SCHEME FOR MEMBERS’ REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES 2023/2024

Basic Salary
Each Member of the Council will receive a basic salary of £20,099 per annum.

Senior Councillors
In terms of the 2007 Regulations the Council has resolved to pay Senior Councillor Salaries to Members with special responsibilities.

The remuneration paid to senior councillors currently stands at £25,128.'

POST - ANNUAL SALARY 
Leader of the Council - £33,503 
Provost - £25,128 
Deputy Provost - £25,128 
Convener for Education, Equalities, Culture and Leisure - £25,128 
Convener for Environment and Housing - £25,128 
Chair of Audit and Scrutiny Committee - £25,128 
Chair of Planning Applications Committee/LRB - £25,128 
Vice Chair of Planning Applications Committee/LRB - £25,128 
Chair of Licensing Committee - £25,128

It will be noted that at Agenda Item 19 at Full Council Meeting of 3 March 2022 the Vice Chair of Planning Applications Committee/LRB was not included -

EAST RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL - 3 MARCH 2022 - Report by Director of Business Operations and Partnerships
SCHEME FOR MEMBERS’ REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES 2022/23

POST/ANNUAL SALARY 
Leader of the Council £32,622 
Provost £24,467 
Deputy Provost £24,467 
Convener for Community Services and Community Safety £24,467 
Convener for Education and Equalities £24,467 
Convener for Environment £24,467 
Convener for Housing and Maintenance Services £24,467 
Chair of Audit and Scrutiny Committee £24,467 
Chair of Planning Applications Committee/LRB £24,467 
Chair of Licensing Committee £24,467

The scheme states - 'If a Member leaves office as a Councillor or ceases to be entitled to a Senior Councillor Salary, ...'

Under what circumstances/reasons can a Councillor cease to be entitled to a Senior Councillor Salary ?

How/Where/When was it decided to include the Vice Chair of Planning Applications Committee/LRB as a Senior Councillor in SCHEME FOR MEMBERS’ REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES 2023/2024 ?

Who added the Vice Chair of Planning Applications Committee/LRB as a Senior Councillor in SCHEME FOR MEMBERS’ REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES 2023/2024 ?

Why was the Vice Chair of Planning Applications Committee/LRB included as a Senior Councillor in SCHEME FOR MEMBERS’ REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES 2023/2024 ?

When was the Vice Chair of Planning Applications Committee/LRB included as a Senior Councillor in SCHEME FOR MEMBERS’ REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES 2023/2024 ?

When did the Vice Chair of Planning Applications Committee/LRB actually first get paid as as a Senior Councillor in SCHEME FOR MEMBERS’ REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES 2023/2024 ?

The current Planning Applications/LRB Committee Chair was appointed Planning Applications/LRB Committee Chair in May 2022.

There have been 18 Planning Application Meetings and 15 Local Review Body(LRB) meetings from since May 2022.

Would appreciate if you would give the reasons why the current Chair is still Chair when they have only Chaired 6 of these 18 Planning Application meetings and 2 of these Local Review Body Meetings.

Would appreciate if you would give the reasons why the current Chair has and would appear to be classed as a Senior Councillor with the renumeration paid of £25,128 when they have only Chaired 6 of these 18 Planning Application meetings and 2 of these 15 Local Review Body Meetings.

Would appreciate if you would say when non chairing of meetings by a Senior Councillor, who is a Committee Chair taking the renumeration of £25,128, would be investigated as a case of fraud.

From the available information below taken from Council webpages.

The Current Chair has Chaired 6 of 18 Planning Application Meetings and 2 of 15 Local Review Body meetings.


15 June 2022 - Councillor Cunningham in the Chair - LRB - Meeting Cancelled

10 August 2022 - Councillor Cunningham in the Chair - LRB - Councillor Cunningham in the Chair

24 August 2022 - Councillor Cunningham in the Chair

14 September 2022 - Councillor McLean in the Chair - LRB - Councillor McLean in the Chair

20 September 2022 - Councillor Cunningham in the Chair

(12 October 2022 LRB Cancelled)

9 November 2022 - Councillor McLean in the Chair - LRB - Councillor McLean in the Chair

7 December 2022 - Councillor Edlin in the Chair - LRB - Councillor Edlin in the Chair


30 January 2023 - Provost Mary Montague in the Chair ? (No miniutes on Council webpage - From recording Provost Mary Montague in the Chair )

15 February 2022 - Councillor McLean in the Chair - (No miniutes on Council webpage - From recording Councillor McLean in the Chair ) - LRB From recording Councillor McLean in the Chair

5 April 2022 - Councillor Edlin in the Chair - LRB - Councillor Edlin in the Chair

7 June 2023 - Councillor Cunningham in the Chair - LRB - Councillor Cunningham in the Chair

(9 August 2023 - LRB - Councillor Morrison in the Chair)

4 October 2023 - Councillor Lunday in the Chair - LRB - Councillor Lunday in the Chair

29 November 2023 - Councillor Cunningham in the Chair - LRB - Cancelled

14 February 2024 - Councillor McLean in the Chair - LRB - Councillor McLean in the Chair

14 March 2024 - Councillor McLean in the Chair (No mniutes on Council webpage - From recording Councillor McLean in the Chair )

3 April 2024 - Councillor McLean in the Chair - LRB - Councillor McLean in the Chair

(5 June 2024 - LRB - Councillor McLean in the Chair)

(7 August 2024 - LRB - Councillor Ireland in the Chair)

2 October 2024 - Councillor McLean in the Chair (No minutes on Council webpage - From recording Councillor McLean in the Chair ) - LRB - Councillor McLean in the Chair

31 October 2024 - Councillor McLean in the Chair (From recording Councillor McLean in the Chair )

Again, your help in giving this requested information will be appreciated.

Under what circumstances/reasons can a Councillor cease to be entitled to a Senior Councillor Salary ?

How/Where/When was it decided to include the Vice Chair of Planning Applications Committee/LRB as a Senior Councillor in SCHEME FOR MEMBERS’ REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES 2023/2024 ?

Who added the Vice Chair of Planning Applications Committee/LRB as a Senior Councillor in SCHEME FOR MEMBERS’ REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES 2023/2024 ?

Why was the Vice Chair of Planning Applications Committee/LRB included as a Senior Councillor in SCHEME FOR MEMBERS’ REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES 2023/2024 ?

When was the Vice Chair of Planning Applications Committee/LRB included as a Senior Councillor in SCHEME FOR MEMBERS’ REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES 2023/2024 ?

When did the Vice Chair of Planning Applications Committee/LRB actually first get paid as as a Senior Councillor in SCHEME FOR MEMBERS’ REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES 2023/2024 ?

Would appreciate if you would give the reasons why the current Chair is still Chair when they have only Chaired 6 of these 18 Planning Application meetings and 2 of these Local Review Body Meetings.

Would appreciate if you would give the reasons why the current Chair has and would appear to be classed as a Senior Councillor with the renumeration paid of £25,128 when they have only Chaired 6 of these 18 Planning Application meetings and 2 of these 15 Local Review Body Meetings.

Would appreciate if you would say when non chairing of meetings by a Senior Councillor, taking the renumeration of £25,128, would be investigated as a case of fraud.

Your help will be appreciated.

Thanks

------ Original Message ------
To: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sent: Friday, November 22nd 2024, 17:32
Subject: Re: Chairing /Non Chairing of Planning Application/LRB Committees/Senior Council Salary of £25,128 as compared to basic salary of £20,099

Dear Council Leader Cllr Owen O'Donnell

Would appreciate courtesy of response giving the requested information.

Your help will be appreciated.

Thanks


------ Original Message ------
From: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sent: Tuesday, November 26th 2024, 09:12
Subject: Re: Chairing /Non Chairing of Planning Application/LRB Committees/Senior Council Salary of £25,128 as compared to basic salary of £20,099

I refer to your email regarding the Chair/Vice Chair of the Planning Applications Committee/Local Review Body. I would respond to each of your questions as follows:

Q1 - Under what circumstances/reasons can a Councillor cease to be entitled to a Senior Councillor Salary?

In accordance with the Council’s Standing Orders, any Elected Member can bring forward a motion to Council to remove a Senior Councillor from such a role. A Senior Elected Member may also decide to step down from their role.


Q2 - How/Where/When was it decided to include the Vice Chair of Planning Applications Committee/LRB as a senior councillor in the Scheme For Members’ Remuneration And Expenses 2023/2024?

The Council at its meeting on 29 June 2022, agreed a Motion that a Senior Councillor Allowance be paid to the Vice Chair of Planning Applications Committee/LRB.

You can view the Minute of the Meeting here.

www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/media/8117/C....pdf?m=1662120367967

You can also view the recording of the meeting here



The motion starts at 13minutes 50 seconds.

Q3 - Who added the Vice Chair of Planning Applications Committee/LRB as a Senior Councillor in Scheme For Members’ Remuneration And Expenses 2023/2024?

The Vice Chair of Planning Applications Committee has been included in the Scheme for Members’ Remuneration And Expenses since the Council agreed the aforementioned motion in June 2022. See the following reports:

Scheme for Members’ Remuneration and Expenses 2023/24 Report

www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/media/8823/C....pdf?m=1677244868883

Scheme for Members’ Remuneration and Expenses 2024/25 Report

www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/media/10293/....pdf?m=1713447594390

Q4 - Why was the Vice Chair of Planning Applications Committee/LRB included as a Senior Councillor in Scheme For Members’ Remuneration And Expenses 2023/2024?

As referred to above, the Vice Chair of Planning Applications Committee/LRB was included as a Senior Councillor following the motion to Council in June 2022.

Q5 - When was the Vice Chair of Planning Applications Committee/LRB included as a senior Councillor In Scheme For Members’ Remuneration And Expenses 2023/2024?

As referred to above, Vice Chair of Planning Applications Committee/LRB was included in the Scheme for Members’ Remuneration from June 2022, following Council motion mentioned above.

Q6 - When did the Vice Chair of Planning Applications Committee/LRB actually first get paid as a senior councillor in scheme for members’ remuneration and expenses 2023/2024?

The Vice Chair of Planning Applications Committee/LRB has been paid as a senior councillor since July 2022 i.e. the first pay run following the Council motion in June 2022.

Q7 - Would appreciate if you would give the reasons why the current Chair is still Chair when they have only Chaired 6 of these 18 Planning Application meetings and 2 of these Local Review Body Meetings.

The Chair of the Planning Applications Committee usually submits apologies for those meetings she does not attend in which case these would be recorded. There is nothing in the Council’s Standing Orders to prevent her doing so, in her absence the Vice Chair whom failing another Member of the Committee would take the Chair.

Q8 - Would appreciate if you would give the reasons why the current Chair has and would appear to be classed as a Senior Councillor with the remuneration paid of £25,128 when they have only Chaired 6 of these 18 Planning Application meetings and 2 of these 15 Local Review Body Meetings.

Once appointed as a Senior Elected Member they have entitlement to the allowance set out in the Scheme until they resign or are removed from that position as outlined in my response to question 1 above.

Q9 - Would appreciate if you would say when non chairing of meetings by a Senior Councillor, taking the remuneration of £25,128, would be investigated as a case of fraud.

East Renfrewshire Council takes any allegation of fraud seriously. If an allegation of fraud was made by any party, it would be investigated. If you believe that there is any fraudulent activity within East Renfrewshire Council, it is an option for you to put your concerns in writing to Ms Michelle Blair, Chief Auditor, East Renfrewshire Council Heaquarters, Eastwood Park, Rouken Glen Road, Giffnock, G46 6UG or by email:

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

It is also an option for any party making an allegation of fraud to contact Police Scotland and ask them to conduct an investigation.

Kind regards
Cllr Owen O'Donnell
Leader East Renfrewshire Council

------ Original Message ------
To: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sent: Monday, December 2nd 2024, 12:52
Subject: Re: Re: Chairing /Non Chairing of Planning Application/LRB Committees/Senior Council Salary of £25,128 as compared to basic salary of £20,099

Dear Council Leader Cllr Owen O'Donnell

Thanks you for your response of 26/11/2024.

A bit of Background since reading your response.

When writing to you I had no idea of the political 'shenanigans' behind the appointement of the Planning Application/LRB Committees Vice Chair as a Senior Councillor.

My concern was and still is that the Chair Planning Application/LRB Committees has only chaired 9 of 34 Meetings since May 2022 but still is claiming the Senior Councillor renumeration of currently £25,128.

My opinion is that the Chair Planning Application/LRB Committees is not fullfilling the duties of a Senior Councillor and should not be claiming the Senior Councillor renumeration of currently £25,128.


I believe that the Council Leader has been informed and should be taking the responsibility for investigating claims of Senior Councillors not fullfiling their duties.


At the time my Questions about the Vice Chair Planning Application/LRB Committees being appointed as a Senior Councillor were due to a thought popping into my head that the Vice Chair was aware they would be chairing the majority of the meetings and so quite rightly should be renumerated for this(as said I had no idea of the political 'shenanigans' )

So it was a bit of a surprise when I viewed the Meeting recording and that Cllr David MacDonald said (at 31:50) -




'I would suggest that it is probably most likely to do with the fact that the Vice Chair will be doing the lion's share of the work in that committee for whatever reason'


I agree that only the Chair or Vice Chair should receive the Senior Councillor renumeration of currently £25,128 and not both.

I outline my case further below.

I would ask that you view this recording of Planning Applications Committee Meeting held Wednesday 24 November 2024 before reading further 

www.youtube.com/user/eastrenfrewshire/videos

The facial expressions, body language and actions of the Council Official sitting to the left of the Chair(as you look at the screen) sums it up.

About 0:36 into recording The Chair says 'it's a wee while since I've done this...'

The Chair last Chaired Meeting on 29 November 2023.

Would appreciate if you can give clarificaton regarding your previous response to help with a few points.

The Council Leader should be Leading, but you would appear to be passing the buck and ignoring that you are Leader of the Council and do have a role to play in this matter as the choice of Senior Councillors is a political initiative that ensures monetory gain for those chosen as Senior Councillors.

You can bring forward a motion.

Why would you not do this ?

Why would you pass the buck and ask others to do this and not yourself?

You say 'In accordance with the Council’s Standing Orders, any Elected Member can bring forward a motion to Council to remove a Senior Councillor from such a role. '

I would request that you bring forward a motion to Council to remove the Chair Planning Application/LRB Committees as a Senior Councillor from such a role as they are taking the renumeration for a Senior Councillor of currently £25,128 and have only Chaired 9 of 34 Meetings held since May 2022.

Please give reasons why you could not bring forward such a motion.

You say 'A Senior Elected Member may also decide to step down from their role.'

I would request that you ask the Chair Planning Application/LRB Committees to step down from their role as Senior Councillor taking the renumeration for a Senior Councillor of currently £25,128 as they have only Chaired 9 of 34 Meetings held since May 2022.

Would appreciate if you give reasons why you cannot ask the Chair Planning Application/LRB Committees to step down from their role as Senior Councillor.

From your previous response would appreciate if you clarify that

- You support the Chair of Planning Application/LRB Committees in only Chairing 9 of 34 Meetings held since May 2022 and consider this acceptable

- You support this as being acceptable behaviour of a Senior Councillor.

- You support and consider it acceptable the Chair of Planning Application/LRB Committees taking the renumeration for a Senior Councillor of currently £25,128 and only Chairing 9 of 34 Meetings held since May 2022.

(The figure of 34 Meetings since May 2022 includes the Meeting held 24 November 2024)


You did not answer Q9.

Would appreciate if you would say when non chairing of meetings by a Senior Councillor, taking the remuneration of £25,128, would be investigated as a case of fraud ?

You replied below which does not answer the question


Your reply -

'East Renfrewshire Council takes any allegation of fraud seriously.  If an allegation of fraud was made by any party, it would be investigated. If you believe that there is any fraudulent activity within East Renfrewshire Council, it is an option for you to put your concerns in writing to Ms Michelle Blair, Chief Auditor, East Renfrewshire Council Heaquarters, Eastwood Park, Rouken Glen Road, Giffnock, G46 6UG or by email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   It is also an option for any party making an allegation of fraud to contact Police Scotland and ask them to conduct an investigation.'

Would appreciate if you can answer these questions to clarify

- When will the non chairing of meetings by a Senior Councillor, taking the remuneration of £25,128, be investigated as a case of fraud ?

- Even if a Senior Councillor chairs no meetings, taking the remuneration of £25,128, this would not be investigated as a case of fraud ?

- If a Senior Councillor chairs 9 of 34 meetings taking the remuneration of £25,128, this would not be investigated as a case of fraud ?

What will the above be investigated as, if not fraud?

You replied to Q7

'The Chair of the Planning Applications Committee usually submits apologies for those meetings she does not attend in which case these would be recorded. There is nothing in the Council’s Standing Orders to prevent her doing so, in her absence the Vice Chair whom failing another Member of the Committee would take the Chair'

You replid to Q8

'Once appointed as a Senior Elected Member they have entitlement to the allowance set out in the Scheme until they resign or are removed from that position as outlined in my response to question 1 above.'


Are you saying in response to Q7/8 that a Chair/Vice Chair appointed a Senior Councillor does not need to Chair any meetings to be paid the renumeration for a Senior Councillor of currently £25,128 ?

The choice of Senior Councillors is a political initiative that ensures monetory gain for those chosen as Senior Councillors.

As Council leader I believe this is your problem and you should not be passing the buck.

The Council Leader should be Leading, but you would appear to be passing the buck and ignoring that you are Leader of the Council and do have a role to play in this matter as the choice of Senior Councillors is a political initiative that ensures monetory gain for those chosen as Senior Councillors.

As Council Leader you are responsible for ensuring that the system and posts of Senior Councillors are not abused.

I raised the matter of Chair being Senior Councillor but only Chairing 9 out of 34 Meetings with yourself as Council Leader and would expect you to investigate and deal with the matter.


Your help will be appreciated in giving the responses to information requested above.

As will a commitment to actually investigating the matter.

Sent: 09 December 2024 10:24
To: ODonnell, Owen (Cllr) < This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it >
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Chairing /Non Chairing of Planning Application/LRB Committees/Senior Council Salary of £25,128 as compared to basic salary of £20,099

Dear Council Leader Cllr Owen O'Donnell

Would appreciate courtesy of a response giving the requested information/answers.

Your help will be appreciated.

(apology for typos - should be 'remuneration')

Thanks

------ Original Message ------
From: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sent: Monday, December 9th 2024, 15:00
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Chairing /Non Chairing of Planning Application/LRB Committees/Senior Council Salary of £25,128 as compared to basic salary of £20,099

I gave a very detailed response to your first email on this matter and I have nothing further to add.

Kind regards
Cllr Owen O'Donnell
Leader East Renfrewshire Council

------ Original Message ------
To: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sent: Friday, January 3rd 2025, 11:29
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Chairing /Non Chairing of Planning Application/LRB Committees/Senior Council Salary of £25,128 as compared to basic salary of £20,099

Dear Council Leader Cllr Owen O'Donnell

If I was taking money from the Council for work I have not carried out I'm sure the Council would have the Police at my door.

Yet a Senior Councillor taking money for work they have not carried out is not even investigated with the Council Leader just turning a blind eye to this apparent abuse.

The Senior Councillor has taken roughly £12,916, for Chairing 9 out of 34 meetings since May 2022(period of 31 months).

(Senior Councillors takes roughly £5,000 pa in addition to Basic Salary)

This is roughly £1435 per meeting chaired.

Your answers to the questions (you did not answer Q9), prompted I think a reasonable request for further information.

It is disapointing you wish to ignore the apparant abuse of the Senior Councillor system where it would appear a Senior Councillor is consistently taking money for work they have not carried out.

As you have declined to respond and have not questioned any of my information as being wrong, I am taking that I can freely pass on/ publish that

- You do not consider the Chairing of only 9 of 34 Meetings held since May 2022 by the Chair of Planning Application/LRB Committees and taking the remuneration for a Senior Councillor of currently £25,128 as an abuse of the system.

- You support the Chair of Planning Application/LRB Committees in only Chairing 9 of 34 Meetings held since May 2022 and consider this acceptable

- You support this as being acceptable behaviour by a Senior Councillor.

- You support and consider it acceptable the Chair of Planning Application/LRB Committees taking the remuneration for a Senior Councillor of currently £25,128 for only Chairing 9 of 34 Meetings held since May 2022.

- You say a Chair/Vice Chair appointed a Senior Councillor does not need to Chair any meetings to be paid the remuneration for a Senior Councillor of currently £25,128.

- As Council Leader you are passing the buck and ignoring that you do have a role to play in this matter as the the choice of Senior Councillors is a political initiative that ensures monetory gain for those chosen as Senior Councillors.

- You refuse to and give no reasons for refusing, request that you bring forward a motion to Council to remove the Chair Planning Application/LRB Committees as a Senior Councillor from such a role as they are taking the remuneration for a Senior Councillor of currently £25,128 and have only Chaired 9 of 34 Meetings held since May 2022.

- You refuse to and give no reasons for refusing, request that you ask the Chair Planning Application/LRB Committees to step down from their role as Senior Councillor taking the remuneration for a Senior Councillor of currently £25,128 as they have only Chaired 9 of 34 Meetings held since May 2022.


Your help in confirming above and giving the requested information will be appreciated.

Thanks

------ Original Message ------
To: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sent: Monday, January 13th 2025, 17:56
Subject: Chairing /Non Chairing of Planning Application/LRB Committees/Senior Council Salary of £26,686 as compared to basic salary of £21,345(Now as at 1 April 2024)

Dear Council Leader Cllr Owen O'Donnell

Senior Councillors with special responsibilities - payments of currently £26,686 as compared to basic salary of currently £21,345(Now as at 1 April 2024)

It is disappointing you have not responded to my email of 3 January 2025 to help me with identifying information I may have got wrong.

At the Council meeting on 29 June 2022 at 35:50 into the recording, regarding Vice Chair Senior Councellor appointments, you said -

'we will consider.....look in the coming months ahead...'

What was the result of these considerations?

What was the result of looking at this in the coming months ahead (after 29 June 2022)?

Please give details of when the above was undertaken.

What work was carried out and what were the result/conclusions?

In addition to my emails below, again I request that you take action to investigate the apparent abuse of the Senior Councillor Remuneration.

As you spoke at the Council meeting on 29 June 2022, in a Motion regarding Senior Councillor Remuneration, would appreciate if you would have the courtesy to raise this matter and investigate this abuse of the Senior Councillor Remuneration System, whereby Senior Councillors apparently take remuneration for work they have not carried out.

The current Planning Applications/LRB Committee Chair was appointed Planning Applications/LRB Committee Chair in May 2022.

The current Planning Applications/LRB Committee Chair was appointed a Senior Councillor and takes payment currently £26,686 as compared to basic salary of currently £21,345.

Both the Chair and Vice Chair are currently Senior Councillors taking the Senior Councillor Remuneration.

The current Planning Applications/LRB Committee Chair has only chaired 9 out of 34 meetings since appointment in May 2022.

5 out of 12 in 2022
3 out of 11 in 2023
1 out of 11 in 2024

The Senior Councillor has taken roughly £13,689, for Chairing 9 out of 34 meetings since May 2022(period of 31 months).

(Senior Councillors takes roughly £5,300 pa in addition to Basic Salary)

This is roughly £1521 for each meeting chaired.

15 June 2022 - Councillor Cunningham in the Chair

10 August 2022 - Councillor Cunningham in the Chair - LRB - Councillor Cunningham in the Chair

24 August 2022 - Councillor Cunningham in the Chair

20 September 2022 - Councillor Cunningham in the Chair

7 June 2023 - Councillor Cunningham in the Chair - LRB - Councillor Cunningham in the Chair

29 November 2023 - Councillor Cunningham in the Chair

24 November 2024 - Councillor Cunningham in the Chair

Where available you should view the recordings of these above meetings on ERC youtube channel

www.youtube.com/@eastrenfrewshire/videos...rt=dd&shelf_id=4

The Council at its meeting on 29 June 2022, agreed a Motion that a Senior Councillor Allowance be paid to the Vice Chair of Planning Applications Committee/LRB.

You spoke at the meeting.

I would ask that you view the recording of the meeting here - The motion starts at 13minutes 50 seconds



Cllr David MacDonald makes good points at 29:13 in the recording Regarding giving remuneration to both Chair and Vice Chair

and

says at 31:50 ' that it is probably most likely to do with the fact that the Vice Chair will be doing the lion's share of the work in that committee for whatever reason'

Previous emails below.

The choice of Senior Councillors is a political initiative that ensures monetory gain for those chosen as Senior Councillors.

I would appreciate your action to confront this apparent abuse of the Senior Councillor Renumration.

Abuse of the system brings all Councillors into disrepute.

Thanks