Further to my attempt to freeze all Dundee City Councillor salaries to last year's levels, made at the recent Policy & Resources Committee (click on headline above to view more about this), as reported in today's "Courier", I have since discussed the matter with the Depute Chief Executive (Finance) and he has spoken with a senior Scottish Government civil servant on the issue. I have now written to her seeking legal clarification as to whether or not a local authority can freeze or restrict councillor salaries below the level set in the guidance issued by Scottish Government.I have obtained a copy of the Scottish Government guidance note on the matter for 2009. It indicates that councils cannot vary the remuneration level, but the clarification I have sought is about the legal position of this statement. Specifically, the guidance is only that – “guidance” – and the true test of the legal position will be in the interpretation of the regulations (amended in 2008) arising out of the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004.
I am continuing to pursue the matter as I believe it would be a ridiculous situation if a local authority cannot set lower salary levels for councillors to save public money & use this money to help service provision. If it turns out that the City Council is prevented from restricting salaries, I will be pursuing the matter with parliamentary colleagues to see how this can be overturned.