------ Original Message ------
From: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sent: Monday, January 20th 2025, 20:57
Subject: RE: 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)

Your email has been passed onto the council for comment, when they reply, I will forward onto you.

Kind regards
Jim McLean
Councillor Jim McLean
Councillor, Ward 5, Eaglesham, Watefoot and Mearns South


Sent: 20 January 2025 21:20
To: McLean, J (Cllr) < This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it >
Subject: Re: RE: 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 Cllr McLean

Thanks for this.

Would appreciate if you would give name of person in Council to who you have passed email.

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

As you know Senior Councillors are chosen, nominated and approved by Councillors.

As you are aware -

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.

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 above.

Not sure Council Officials would get involved, but I will be very interested in what they have to say.

Thanks

------ Original Message ------
From: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sent: Wednesday, January 22nd 2025, 14:06
Subject: RE: RE: 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)

Good afternoon

The email is forwarded to the general councillors email which is then passed onto the relevant department. At the moment I do not have a name of who is dealing with it.

When I receive a reply, I will know who is dealing with it.

Kind regards
Councillor Jim McLean
Councillor, Ward 5, Eaglesham, Watefoot and Mearns South

Sent: 31 January 2025 12:06
To: McLean, J (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 £26,686 as compared to basic salary of £21,345(Now as at 1 April 2024)

Dear Clr McLean

Would appreciate update regarding any response you have received,

Your help is appreciated.

Thanks

------ Original Message ------
From: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sent: Friday, January 31st 2025, 14:48
Subject: RE: RE: RE: 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)

Many thanks for your email.

I was advised that the leader of the council replied to you on the 14th January.

I wasn’t copied into that email. Have you not received the response?

Many thanks

Regards
Councillor Jim McLean
Councillor, Ward 5, Eaglesham, Watefoot and Mearns South


Sent: 31 January 2025 19:54
To: McLean, J (Cllr) < This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it >
Subject: Re: RE: RE: RE: 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 Cllr McLean

Who advised you?

Would also appreciate your understanding of what the leader of the council replied to me on 14 January.

You did not answer -

Would appreciate if you would have the courtesy to raise the matter and investigate the apparent abuse of the Senior Councillor Remuneration System, whereby Senior Councillors apparently take remuneration for work they have not carried out.

Abuse of the system brings all Councillors into disrepute.

I would appreciate your action to confront and investigate this apparent abuse of the Senior Councillor Remuneration.

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: Sunday, February 2nd 2025, 11:59
Subject: RE: RE: RE: RE: 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)

I was advised that the Council Leader has sent a full response to you.

This was confirmed by Barry Tudhope, Democratic Services Manager.

As I mentioned, I was not copied into the email which the council leader sent to you so I cannot comment.

If you want further clarification on his reply to you, I would suggest you contact him.

You asked me if I would raise the matter, which I have done.

You received a reply from the council leader, as far as I’m concerned, this issue is now closed.

As mentioned, if you want further clarification on this, take it up with the council leader.

I will not be entering into any further correspondence with you regarding this issue.

Councillor Jim McLean
Councillor, Ward 5, Eaglesham, Watefoot and Mearns South


Sent: 02 February 2025 15:12
To: McLean, J (Cllr) < This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it >
Subject: RE: 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 Cllr McLean

Thanks for this, however, your response is disappointing.

It would appear , by keeping silent and ignoring the matter, Councillors are actually more concerned in covering over this apparent abuse rather than ensure transparency and accountability in the use of public funds and investigating the apparent abuse.

If you can prove to me and give reasons why there has been no abuse then I can accept that rather than you just ignoring the matter without any investigation.

Would also appreciate if you confirm my understanding that

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

- You support and consider it acceptable the Chair of Planning Application/LRB Committees taking the remuneration of roughly £13,689, for only Chairing 9 of 34 Meetings held since May 2022 and for meetings they have not chaired.

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.

- You do not consider the Chair of Planning Application/LRB Committees taking the remuneration of roughly £13,689, for only Chairing 9 of 34 Meetings held since May 2022 and for meetings they have not chaired an abuse of the system.

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

Abuse of the system brings all Councillors into disrepute.

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

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: Monday, February 3rd 2025, 16:27
Subject: RE: 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)

I will reply to you in this instance but this will be the last time.

I am not a member of the Labour Party nor part of the administration.

I will reiterate to you again.

These are questions for the administration and the leader to answer.

These are the people who appoint Chair and Vice Chair.

I can only assume you are unhappy with the response you received from the Leader in which case I would suggest you contact him again?

If you have any other issues I would be more than happy to assist you.

Regards
Councillor Jim McLean
Councillor, Ward 5, Eaglesham, Watefoot and Mearns South


Sent: 03 February 2025 20:07
To: McLean, J (Cllr) < This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it >
Subject: Thanks for taking the time to respond. However, I think you are wrong - Re: RE: Chairing /Non Chairing of Planning Application/LRB Committees

Dear Cllr McLean

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

However, I think you are wrong, and would appreciate you giving your time to give response to below.

You say 'I am not a member of the Labour Party...'

Don't think I said you were a member of the Labour Party.

Correct me if I am wrong.

You say - 'I will reiterate to you again. These are questions for the administration and the leader to answer. These are the people who appoint Chair and Vice Chair.'

No they don't

A Motion to appoint is put before Full Council.

All Councillors vote for the Motion or an Amendment if one is submitted.

Therefor ALL Councillors are responsible for these appointments and it is perfectly reasonable to seek your response.

I am informed -

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.

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 above.

It would therefore appear you are responsible, can investigate and depending on the outcome of the investigation either -

Bring forward a motion to Council to remove a Senior Councillor from such a role.

Suggest a Senior Elected Member step down from their role.

or

Give reasons why

the Chair of Planning Application/LRB Committees taking the remuneration of roughly £13,689, for only Chairing 9 of 34 Meetings held since May 2022 and taking remuneration for meetings they have not chaired

Not Chairing 7 out of 12 meetings in 2022

Not Chairing8 out of 11 meetings in 2023

Not Chairing 10 out of 11 meetings in 2024

is acceptable and continue as as is.

This is all made clear below(and in previous emails).

Council Leader Cllr Owen O'Donnell provided these answers to questions, avoiding giving any answers to if the Senior Councillor Remunerstion was being abused.

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.

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.

Full Council Meeting - 25 May 2022

It would appear there is no archive recording available for this meeting on Council website.

You were present at this meeting.

From meeting minute -

(xvi) Appointment of Planning Applications Committee Chair and Vice Chair
Councillor O’Donnell, seconded by Councillor Devlin, moved that Councillor Cunningham be appointed Chair of the Planning Applications Committee.

Councillor Buchanan, seconded by Councillor Convery, moved as an amendment that Councillor Ireland be appointed Chair of the Planning Applications Committee.

On the roll being called, Provost Montague and Councillors Anderson, Campbell, Cunningham, Devlin, Edlin, Macdonald, McLean, Morrison, O’Donnell, Pragnell and Wallace voted for the motion.

Councillors Bamforth, Buchanan, Convery, Ireland, Lunday, and Merrick voted for the amendment.

Accordingly, the motion was declared carried and Councillor Cunningham appointed Chair of the Planning Applications Committee.

The Council unanimously agreed that Councillor McLean be appointed Vice Chair of the Planning Applications Committee.


Full Council Meeting - 29 June 2022

You can view recording on Council youtube channel here -



You did not attend the Full Council Meeting on 29 June 2022.

From the minute -

Apologies:
Councillors Betty Cunningham and Jim McLean

NOTICE OF MOTION – SENIOR COUNCILLOR ALLOWANCES
48. In accordance with Standing Order 25, the following notice of motion had been submitted by Councillor O’Donnell, seconded by Councillor Anderson.
That a Senior Councillor Allowance for the Vice Chair of Planning will be created and the Senior Councillor Allowance removed from the position of Convener of Environment.

Councillor Buchanan, seconded by Councillor Bamforth, moved an amendment in the following terms:-
That a Senior Councillor Allowance for the Vice Chair of Planning will not be created and the Senior Councillor Allowance not be removed from the position of Convener of Environment.

On the roll being called, Councillors Anderson, Campbell, Devlin, Edlin, Provost Montague, Morrison, O’Donnell, Pragnell and Wallace voted for the motion.

Councillors Bamforth, Buchanan, Convery, Ireland, Lunday and Merrick voted for the amendment.

Councillor Macdonald abstained.

There being 9 votes for the motion, 6 for the amendment and 1 abstention, the motion was declared carried.

As said

The administration and the leader of Council do not appoint appoint Chair and Vice Chair etc.

A Motion to appoint is put before Full Council.

All Councillors vote for the Motion or an Amendment if one is submitted.

Therefor ALL Councillors are responsible for these appointments and it perfectly reasonable to seek your response.

Again,

It would therefore appear you are responsible, and can investigate

if the Chair of Planning Application/LRB Committees taking the remuneration of roughly £13,689, for only Chairing 9 of 34 Meetings held since May 2022 and taking remuneration for meetings they have not chaired

Not Chairing 7 out of 12 meetings in 2022

Not Chairing 8 out of 11 meetings in 2023

Not Chairing 10 out of 11 meetings in 2024

and give reasons if this is an abuse of the system or not.

Your help is appreciated.

Thanks

------ Original Message ------
From: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sent: Wednesday, February 5th 2025, 21:57
Subject: RE: Thanks for taking the time to respond. However, I think you are wrong - Re: RE: Chairing /Non Chairing of Planning Application/LRB Committees

Many thanks for your email, I have asked the council for clarity on your points and I will reply to you when advised by them.

You are of course right in your assertion that it is indeed councillors who decide once a motion has been submitted, apologies for my earlier mistake.

Regards
Councillor Jim McLean
Councillor, Ward 5, Eaglesham, Watefoot and Mearns South

------ Original Message ------
To: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sent: Thursday, February 6th 2025, 19:22
Subject: Re: RE: Thanks for taking the time to respond. However, I think you are wrong - Re: RE: Chairing /Non Chairing of Planning Application/LRB Committees

Dear Cllr McLean

Thanks for taking the time to respond and for your apology. It is appreciated.

Again, would appreciate if you would give name of who in council you have asked to provide clarity and on what specific points.

Is this a different request to council to the one in your January 20th response(20:57) - 'Your email has been passed onto the council for comment,...'

Perhaps I can help you regarding clarification on the points.

Your help is appreciated.

Thanks


------ Original Message ------
To: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sent: Thursday, February 13th 2025, 19:10
Subject: Re: Re: RE: Thanks for taking the time to respond. However, I think you are wrong - Re: RE: Chairing /Non Chairing of Planning Application/LRB Committees

Dear Cllr McLean

Would appreciate name/points you wish clarified and current update on progress.

Your help is appreciated.

Thanks


------ Original Message ------
To: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sent: Monday, February 24th 2025, 12:08
Subject: Re: Re: Re: RE: Thanks for taking the time to respond. However, I think you are wrong - Re: RE: Chairing /Non Chairing of Planning Application/LRB Committees

Dear Cllr McLean

You wrote on 5/2/2025 - 'I have asked the council for clarity on your points and I will reply to you when advised by them.'

Would appreciate if you can give update on if you have received this clarity/advice or if not, when you expect to receive it.

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: Tuesday, April 8th 2025, 13:48
Subject: Please Clarify - FOI 0039-8203-6664-5088 response - apparent abuse of Senior Councillor Remuneration

Dear Councillor McLean

It is important there is trust between Councillors and Council Tax Payers and it is important that they can question when there appears to be inconsistency in Councillor/Council information given.

Please see/read FOI response below. In it it says -

'There have been no text, emails or other messages exchanged between the Democratic Services Manager, Councillors or other Council officials. 

Please find attached the email response from the Council Leader on this matter.

Please find attached the emails between Customer First and Councillor McLean.'


I wrote to you on January 14 2025 regarding Chairing /Non Chairing of Planning Application/LRB Committees and apparent abuse of Senior Councillor Remuneration.


------ Original Message ------
To: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sent: Tuesday, January 14th 2025, 11:21
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)

You replied -

------ Original Message ------
From: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sent: Monday, January 20th 2025, 20:57
Subject: RE: 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)

Your email has been passed onto the council for comment, when they reply, I will forward onto you.

Kind regards
Jim McLean
Councillor Jim McLean
Councillor, Ward 5, Eaglesham, Watefoot and Mearns South


As you can see In the FOI response ERC have provided only this one email held by them -
From: McLean,J (Cllr)
Sent: 14 January 2025 11:47
To: * customer services
Subject: FW: 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)

Good Morning

Could somebody please reply to [name]?

Kind regards
Councillor Jim McLean
Councillor, Ward 5, Eaglesham, Waterfoot and Mearns South


However, your request for somebody to send me a reply was not actioned. I did not receive reply from somebody.

You wrote on 2 February 2025 -

------ Original Message ------
From: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sent: Sunday, February 2nd 2025, 11:59
Subject: RE: RE: RE: RE: 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)

I was advised that the Council Leader has sent a full response to you.  This was confirmed by Barry Tudhope, Democratic Services Manager.  As I mentioned, I was not copied into the email which the council leader sent to you so I cannot comment.  If you want further clarification on his reply to you, I would suggest you contact him.

You asked me if I would raise the matter, which I have done.  You received a reply from the council leader, as far as I’m concerned, this issue is now closed.  As mentioned, if you want further clarification on this, take it up with the council leader.

I will not be entering into any further correspondence with you regarding this issue.

Councillor Jim McLean
Councillor, Ward 5, Eaglesham, Watefoot and Mearns South


As you can see from the FOI response

- ERC hold no information regarding giving you any advice.

- ERC hold no informationon regarding the confirmation given to you by Barry Tudhope, Democratic Services Manager.

ERC hold no information of any contact to/from yourself - 'There have been no text, emails or other messages exchanged between the Democratic Services Manager, Councillors or other Council officials. 

Would appreciate if you would clarify

- when and how you requested the advice

- when, how and who gave you advice

- when and how you requested the confirmation given to you by Barry Tudhope, Democratic Services Manager.

- when and how you received the confirmation given to you by Barry Tudhope, Democratic Services Manager.

Would appreciate if you will provide me with the information you hold on your contact to/from Council regarding your request for advice and confirmation given to you by Barry Tudhope, Democratic Services Manager.

You wrote on 5th February 2025 -

------ Original Message ------
From: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sent: Wednesday, February 5th 2025, 21:57
Subject: RE: Thanks for taking the time to respond. However, I think you are wrong - Re: RE: Chairing /Non Chairing of Planning Application/LRB Committees

Many thanks for your email, I have asked the council for clarity on your points and I will reply to you when advised by them.

You are of course right in your assertion that it is indeed councillors who decide once a motion has been submitted, apologies for my earlier mistake.

Regards
Councillor Jim McLean
Councillor, Ward 5, Eaglesham, Watefoot and Mearns South

Again, as you can see from the FOI response

- ERC hold no information regarding you asking for clarity

- ERC hold no informationon regarding any response to you regarding your request for clarity

Again, ERC hold no information of any contact to/from yourself -

'There have been no text, emails or other messages exchanged between the Democratic Services Manager, Councillors or other Council officials. 

If indeed you you asked council for clarity, why would ERC withhold this information?

Would appreciate if you would clarify

- when, how and who you asked for clarity

'Many thanks for your email, I have asked the council for clarity on your points and I will reply to you when advised by them.'

- Have you further asked for a response?

- If not, why not?

Would appreciate if you will provide me with the information you hold on your contact to/from Council regarding 'I have asked the council for clarity on your points '.

This is important information.

This information is also important to myself and required to help further progress this matter.

Your help in providing the requested information/clarification will be appreciated.

Thanks

----- Original Message ------
From: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sent: Friday, April 4th 2025, 09:29
Subject: 0039-8203-6664-5088

Good Morning

Please see the response as below and attached in relation to your request for information

This Freedom Of Information(FOI) Request concerns the contact below between Cllr Jim McLean and Council Officials and Council Leader Cllr Owen O'Donnell regarding apparent abuse of the Senior Councillor Remuneration. ' I have asked the council for clarity on your points and I will reply to you when advised by them.' 'This was confirmed by Barry Tudhope, Democratic Services Manager.' and Barry Tudhope, Democratic Services Manager involvement in the matter of this apparent abuse of the Senior Councillor Remuneration... Please provide all details/information held regarding providing clarity and advice to Cllr Jim McLean on this matter. Please provide all details/information held regarding Barry Tudhope, Democratic Services Manager involvement in this matter. Please provide all details/informaton held regarding Council Leader Cllr Owen O'Donnell involvement in this matter. Please provide copies of all correspondence (texts, emails, notes, messages etc) To/from Cllr Jim McLean and Council Officials To/from Council Officials and Cllr McLean To/from/between Council Officials and Council Officials To/from Barry Tudhope, Democratic Services Manager and Cllr Jim McLean To/from Barry Tudhope, Democratic Services Manager and Council Leader Cllr Owen O'Donnell regarding the matter in emails below and providing clarity and advice to Cllr Jim McLean. Your help will be appreciated.


There have been no text, emails or other messages exchanged between the Democratic Services Manager, Councillors or other Council officials.

Please find attached the email response from the Council Leader on this matter.

Please find attached the emails between Customer First and Councillor McLean.


East Renfrewshire Council offers the opportunity to apply to the Council for a review of how we have dealt with your enquiry. If you wish to proceed to review, please apply in writing within 40 working days to:

Chief Legal Officer
Council Headquarters
Rouken Glen Road
Giffnock G46 6UG,

Or by email at

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

marking your letter or email “Freedom of Information, request for review”. In your response please state the exact nature of the matter you wish to be reviewed.

The review will be carried out within 20 working days of receipt. If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of the review, you have the right to then appeal to the Scottish Information Commissioner who has extensive powers to investigate such matters. His address is:

Scottish Information Commissioner
Kinburn Castle
St. Andrews
Fife KY16 9DS

Iain Macaulay
HR Officer
Department of Business Operations and Partnerships
East Renfrewshire: Your Council, Your Future