COSLA SAYS MORE DIVERSE REPRESENTATION IN COUNCILS NEEDS TO BE A SHARED PRIORITY

“Everyone in Scotland should be able to run for public office should they so wish” – said COSLA’s President today (Monday 8th July 2024).

COSLA notes Scottish Government’s response to the Scottish Local Authority Remuneration Committee (SLARC) report and its  recommendations. We are keen to continue working closely with Scottish Government as we move into the implementation phase of the recommendations.

COSLA acknowledges the Scottish Government’s support for the majority of the SLARC recommendations, including those concerned with changes to remuneration levels and bandings. We are however disappointed with the delay in implementation until April 2025, a full year later than recommended and that no funding is being provided.

Councillor Shona Morrison, COSLA President noted:

“The Leaders of Scotland’s Councils do not consider the costs of funding recommendations to sit solely with Local Government and are of the view that increasing the diversity of representation needs to be a shared priority. I am clear that for a rich and vibrant democracy, everyone in Scotland should have the opportunity to run for public office should they so wish. Given the budget pressures facing Councils, we want to continue to work with Scottish Government throughout their budget considerations to ensure that remuneration levels for councillors do not act as a barrier to people in our communities who wish to stand for elected office."

Further information

The SLARC Report can be read here.

Scottish Government's response to the recommendations can be read here.