------ Original Message ------
To: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sent: Sunday, February 16th 2025, 10:10
Subject: Chairing /Non Chairing of Planning Application/LRB Committees - Apparent abuse of Senior Councillor Remuneration

To: Ms Michelle Blair, Chief Auditor, East Renfrewshire Council

Dear Michelle

Please read below email (February 11th 2025, 07:21) from Cllr Gordon Wallace instructing me to write to you, and my reply (February 11th 2025, 10:58) below(to which he did not give response).

Would appreciate if you will give details of your involvement in these matters(apparent abuse of Senior Councillor remuneration system), if they are referred to you.

Did you tell Cllr Wallace when he says

'you may consider submitting your concerns in writing to Ms Michelle Blair, Chief Auditor, East Renfrewshire Council Headquarters, Eastwood Park, Rouken Glen Road, Giffnock, G46 6UG or by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .,'

that you as Chief Auditor, East Renfreshire Council are the person to deal with this matter?

What investigations do you carry out?

What is considered an abuse?

Who do you contact for information?

What powers of investigation do you have to investigate if a case of apparent abuse of Senior Councillor remuneration is made known to you?

What powers/penalties/sanctions do you have if remuneration has been abused?

It is my understanding -

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.

Can you request Elected Members bring forward such a motion to remove a Senior Councillor from their role ?

The Chair of Planning Application/LRB Committees  has only chaired 9 of 34 Meetings held since May 2022

- apparently taking in 2022 from May 2022 approx £3,264 for chairing 5 meetings out of 12 (with Remuneration £24,467 - Basic £19,571 salary)

- apparently taking in 2023 £5,029 for chairing 3 meetings out of 11 (with Remuneration £25,128 - Basic £20,099 salary)

- apparently taking in 2024 £5,341 for chairing 1 meeting out of 11 (with Remuneration £26,686 - Basic £21,345 salary)

Only chairing 9 of 34 Meetings held since May 2022 and taking the full remuneration (including £5,341 for chairing only 1 meeting out of 11 in 2024) would appear to be a serious abuse of the system.

Cllr wallace has also stated that he has responsibility -

'All elected members have a shared responsibility to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of public funds... '

What responsibility do you and Cllr Wallace have regarding investigating/applying sanctions in this matter?

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: Friday, February 21st 2025, 15:59
Subject: Chairing/Non Chairing of Planning Application/LRB Committees
OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE
OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE

Further to your e-mail of 16th February to Michelle Blair regarding the above issue, I write to advise that officers are of the view that you have already received a comprehensive response from the Leader of the Council in relation to this matter.

As such, the Council does not intend to respond to any further requests from you for information on this topic .

Yours faithfully,

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