East Renfrewshire Neighbourhood Watch - Forum

Subject: Watch Live Today - Wednesday, 23rd April 2025 at 5:00pm - FULL COUNCIL MEETING - by: RM64

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 06:11:51 +0000

Watch live here -

eastrenfrewshire.public-i.tv/core/portal/home

You can read Papers/Reports on Council webpage here -

www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/council-230425

Subject: Cllr Pay/Remuneration Increase: All: Basic £25,982pa(up from £21,345pa), Leader £50,063pa(up from £35,580pa), Sen Cllr £37,548.00pa(up from £26,686pa) - by: RM64

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 12:10:35 +0000

Councillors are increasing the costs to Residents and are imposing cuts on the poorest, the poor on benefits and the sick.

So it is especialy galling for Residents to learn of the size of the pay increases at this time.

EAST RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL - 23 APRIL 2025
AGENDA ITEM 10 - Report by Director of Business Operations and Partnerships
SCHEME FOR MEMBERS’ REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES 2025/26

SCHEME FOR MEMBERS’ REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES 2025/26

(2024/25 figures in brackets)

(All Councillors receive Basic salary - Basic salary increase from (£21,345.00pa) to £25,982.00pa - Increase of £4,637.00pa)

Salary with Remuneration

- Council Leader (£35,580pa) increase to £50,063.00pa - increase of £14,483pa

- Senior Councillors (£26,686pa) to £37,548.00pa increase of £10,862.00pa

You can read the report on Council webpage here -

www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/council-230425

Paras 13 and 14 say -

13. The new Regulations see an increase in the basic Councillor remuneration from
£21,345 to £25,982; the remuneration paid to the Leader of the Council increases from
£35,580, to £50,063; and the remuneration paid to the Civic Head of the Council (Provost) and those designated as Senior Councillors increases from £26,686 to £37,458.

14. However, it should be noted that the Scottish Government has written to the Chief
Executive and the Head of Finance (Chief Financial Officer) to confirm that the figure for the Civic Head of the Council (Provost) and Senior Councillors is incorrectly stated in the Regulations and that revised Regulations will be issued to correct this figure to £37,548.

Basic Remuneration
Each Member of the Council will receive a basic remuneration of £25,982.00 per annum(£21,345.00). Payment will be made on the third Friday of each month by a monthly payment of £2,165.16 (£1,778.75) subject to normal Income Tax, National Insurance and Pension Contribution deductions.

Senior Councillors
In terms of the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 (Remuneration) Amendment Regulations 2025, the Council will pay Senior Councillor remuneration to Members with special responsibilities. These will be paid under the same arrangements as basic payments.

New salaries

Leader of the Council - Cllr Owen O'Donnell
£50,063 (up from £35,580.00)

Provost - Cllr Mary Montague
£37,548 (up from £26,686.00)

Deputy Provost - Cllr Kate Campbell
£37,548 (up from £26,686.00)

Convener for Education, Equalities, Culture and Leisure - Cllr Andrew Anderson
£37,548 (up from £26,686.00)

Convener for Environment and Housing - Cllr Danny Devlin
£37,548 (up from £26,686.00)

Chair of Audit and Scrutiny Committee - Cllr Andrew Morrison
£37,548 (up from £26,686.00)

Chair of Planning Applications Committee/LRB - Cllr Betty Cunningham
£37,548 (up from £26,686.00)

Vice Chair of Planning Applications Committee/LRB - Cllr Jim McLean
£37,548 (up from £26,686.00)

Chair of Licensing Committee - Cllr Paul Edlin
£37,548 (up from £26,686.00)

Subject: FULL COUNCIL MEETING - Wednesday 23 April 2025 at 5pm - Agenda Item 10 - Councillors to give themselves salary increases? - by: RM64

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 09:18:48 +0000

Department of Business Operations and Partnerships
Director: Louise Pringle
Council Headquarters, Eastwood Park, Giffnock, East Renfrewshire, G46 6UG
Phone: 0141 577 3000
website: www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk
Date: 15 April 2025
When calling please ask for: Barry Tudhope (Tel: 0141 577 3023)
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

TO: Provost Montague; Deputy Provost Campbell; and Councillors Anderson, Bamforth,
Buchanan, Convery, Cunningham, Devlin, Edlin, Ireland, Lunday, Macdonald,
McLean, Merrick, Morrison, O’Donnell, Pragnell and Wallace.

MEETING OF EAST RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL

A meeting of the East Renfrewshire Council will be held in the Council Chamber,
Council Headquarters, Eastwood Park, Giffnock, G46 6UG on

Wednesday 23 April 2024 at 5.00 p.m.

[presume they mean 2025]

The agenda of business is as listed below.

Prior to the commencement of the meeting the Provost will make a statement that the meeting will be webcast live and recorded for later, publicly accessible archive viewing.

Yours faithfully
Louise Pringle
LOUISE PRINGLE
DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS

AGENDA
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members are requested to give notice of any declarations of interest in respect of items of business on the Agenda.

3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
Submit for approval as a correct record and signature the Minute of the Meeting of the
Council held on 26 February 2025 (copy attached, pages 5 – 16).

4. MINUTE VOLUME (Issued Under Separate Cover)
Submit for approval as a correct record the Minutes of Meetings for the period 20
February to 10 April 2025.

5. ITEMS REMITTED TO THE COUNCIL
(i) INTERIM TREASURY MANAGEMENT REPORT FOR 2024/25 - QUARTER 4
Report by Head of Finance (Chief Financial Officer) (copy attached, pages 17 – 32) (Audit and Scrutiny Committee – 27 March 2025).
Audit & Scrutiny Committee Recommendation:
• that the proposed increases in the Prudential Indicators, as a result of the
introduction of the new financial reporting standard, IFRS16, be approved;
• and that the attached organisations for investment of surplus funds be
approved.

(ii) GENERAL FUND CAPITAL PROGRAMME
Report by Head of Finance (Chief Financial Officer) (copy attached, pages 33 – 54) (Cabinet – 6 March 2025).
Cabinet Recommendation:
• note and approve the movements within the programme; and
• note the shortfall of £0.362m and that this will be managed and reported within the final accounts for the year.

(iii) HOUSING CAPITAL PROGRAMME
Report by Head of Finance (Chief Financial Officer) (copy attached, pages 55 - 62) (Cabinet – 6 March 2025).
Cabinet Recommendation:
• note and approve the movements within the programme; and
• note the shortfall of £0.119m and that this will be managed and reported
within the final accounts for the year.

6. STATEMENTS BY CONVENERS AND REPRESENTATIVES ON JOINT BOARDS AND COMMITTEES.

7. PROVOST’S ENGAGEMENTS
Report by Director of Business Operations and Partnerships (copy attached, pages
63– 64).

8. EQUALITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS MAINSTEAMING REPORT
Report by Director of Business Operations and Partnerships (copy attached, pages
65– 128).

9. ‘A PLACE TO GROW’ UPDATE AND YEAR 1 DELIVERY PLAN
Report by the Director of Business Operations and Partnerships (copy attached, pages
129 - 162).

10. SCHEME FOR MEMBERS’ REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES 2025/26
Report by the Director of Business Operations and Partnerships (copy attached, pages
163 – 178).

11. REGULATION OF INVESTIGATORY POWERS (SCOTLAND) ACT 2000
Report by Chief Officer – Legal and Procurement (copy attached, pages 179 – 232).

12. EAST RENFREWSHIRE CHILDREN’S SERVICES PROMISE 5 TH ANNIVERSARY PROGRESS REPORT
Report by Chief Social Work Officer (copy attached, pages 233 - 254).

13. OUTLINE OF PRESSURES FACING HOMELESSNESS
Report by Director of Environment (copy attached, pages 255 - 260).

14. LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 3 (DEVELOPMENT PLAN SCHEME AND PARTICIPATION STATEMENT 2025)
Report by Director of Environment (copy attached, pages 261- 296).

A recording of the Council meeting will also be available following the meeting on the
Council’s YouTube Channel

www.youtube.com/user/eastrenfrewshire/videos

This document can be explained to you in other languages and can be
provided in alternative formats such as large print and Braille. For further
information, please contact Customer First on 0141 577 3001 or email

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

You can read Reports/Papers on Council webpage here -

www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/council-230425

Subject: REMUNERATION ABUSE?-ALL COUNCILLORS REQUESTED TO INVESTIGATE/SUBMIT MOTION-Chair apparently taking £5,341 for chairing only 1 of 11 meetings in 2024 - by: RM64

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 18:04:34 +0000

------ Original Message ------
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Sent: Thursday, April 10th 2025, 10:44
Subject: Request to investigate/submit motion as instructed - Apparent Abuse of Senior Councillor Remuneration - All elected members have a shared responsibility to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of public funds...

Dear Councillor

Please see below.

As my designated elected member who serve my ward area I would request that you investigate this matter and submit the requested motion.

As all elected members have a shared responsibility to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of public funds, It is not just designated elected members but It is incumbent on every Elected Member to act to investigate this apparent abuse of the Senior Councillor Remuneration and if the only way possible to do this is to bring forward a Motion to establish the facts then it is incumbent on Elected Members to submit such a motion.

I request that you submit such a motion.

Would appreciate that you acknowledge receipt of this request and also give response -

Indicating that you will investigate this apparent abuse of Senior Councillor Remuneration and submit such a motion

or

give reasons why you do not consider this an abuse of Senior Councillor Remuneration and will not submit/support such a motion.

Your help will be appreciated.

Thanks

------ Original Message ------
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Sent: Thursday, April 10th 2025, 10:32
Subject: Request to investigate/submit motion as instructed - Apparent Abuse of Senior Councillor Remuneration - All elected members have a shared responsibility to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of public funds...

TO: All Elected Members East Renfrewshire Council

Council Leader Cllr Owen O'Donnell, Provost Cllr Mary Montegue, Cllr Tony Buchanan, Cllr Paul Edlin, Cllr Annette Ireland, Cllr David MacDonald, Cllr Gordon Wallace, Cllr Chis Lunday, Cllr Angela Convery, Cllr Betty Cunningham, Cllr Danny Devlin, Cllr Andrew Morrison, Cllr Colm Merrick, Cllr Kate Campbell, Cllr Katie Pragnell, Cllr Andrew Anderson, Cllr Caroline Bamforth, Clr Jim McLean

Cc: Chief Auditor East Renfrewshire Council Michelle Blair

Dear Elected Member East Renfrewshire Council

Cllr Gordon Wallace , a member of the Audit & Scrutiny Committee has stated

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

and the Chair of Audit & Scrutiny Committee Andrew Morrison has indicated in their email of Tuesday, March 18th 2025, 16:46 below, that it is a matter for all Elected Members.

Councillors are imposing cuts on the poorest residents, the poor on benefits and the sick.

Consequently It is right that the money Councillors take should also come under scrutiny.

It can be seen that in these times of Council cutbacks and Council introducing increased costs for Residents, that Councillors/Council Officials would not wish this apparent abuse to be highlighted, as it would be embarrasing and does pose some serious questions of honesty and integrity, and that you would seek to stop questions being asked over this apparent abuse.

Is the Chair of Planning Application/LRB Committees in only chairing 9 of 34 Meetings held since May 2022 and 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)

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

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

and apparently taking this money for work they have not carried out, seriously abusing the Senior Councillor Remuneration?

Councillors and Council Officials apparently wish to cover over the matter and they have given no reasons why apparently taking this money from May 2022, apparently for work not carried out, is not an abuse of the Senior Councillor Remuneration.

No investigation has taken place and Council Officials have denied access to the Chief Auditor East Renfrewshire Council Michelle Blair.

Cllr Gordon Wallace , a member of the Audit & Scrutiny Committee has stated

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

and the Chair of Audit & Scrutiny Committee Andrew Morrison has indicated in their email of Tuesday, March 18th 2025, 16:46 below, that it is a matter for all Elected Members.

As all elected members have a shared responsibility to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of public funds, It is not just designated elected members but It is incumbent on every Elected Member to act to investigate this apparent abuse of the Senior Councillor Remuneration and if the only way possible to do this is to bring forward a Motion to establish the facts then it is incumbent on Elected Members to submit such a motion.

I request that you submit such a motion.

Full Council Meeting - 25 May 2022

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

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 -

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'

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.

Abuse of the Senior Councillor Remuneration System brings all Councillors into disrepute.

As all elected members have a shared responsibility to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of public funds, It is not just designated elected members but It is incumbent on every Elected Member to act to investigate this apparent abuse of the Senior Councillor Remuneration and if the only way possible to do this is to bring forward a Motion to establish the facts then it is incumbent on Elected Members to submit such a motion.

I request that you submit such a motion.

Would appreciate that you acknowledge receipt of this request and also give response -

Indicating that you will investigate this apparent abuse of Senior Councillor Remuneration and submit such a motion

or

give reasons why you do not consider this an abuse of Senior Councillor Remuneration and will not submit/support such a motion.

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
To: [name]; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Cc: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sent: Tuesday, March 18th 2025, 16:46
Subject: Re: Apparent Abuse of Senior Councillor Remuneration
OFFICIAL
OFFICIAL

I acknowledge response of your email however do not accept your request as this matter is not competent for discussion at the Audit & Scrutiny Committee.

The appointment of councillors to senior roles is a matter for elected members to determine as a whole-Council and it has been further explained that it is for elected members to bring forward any motion to remove a councillor from such a post at a whole-Council meeting.

You have designated elected members who serve your ward area to whom you may wish to express your opinion on this matter. They may or may not decide to pursue your representations further and that is a matter for them to decide.

As I do not serve the ward area you reside within, and this matter is beyond the remit of the Committee I chair, I shall conclude by stating I have no further business to transact on this matter.

Kind regards,
Cllr Andrew Morrison
Newton Mearns North & Neilston, Ward 2
Scottish Conservative & ist Party
East Renfrewshire: Your Council, Your Future
www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk
OFFICIAL
OFFICIAL

Sent: 18 March 2025 09:12
To: Morrison, Andrew (Cllr) < This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it >; Buchanan, Tony (Cllr) < This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it >; Montague, Mary2 (Provost) < This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it >; Edlin, Paul (Cllr) < This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it >; Ireland, A (Cllr) < This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it >; Macdonald, D (Cllr) < This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it >; Wallace, Gordon (Cllr) < This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it >
Cc: Blair, Michelle < This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it >
Subject: Re: Apparent Abuse of Senior Councillor Remuneration

To: Chair Audit & Scrutiny Committee Cllr Andrew Morrison and

Committee Members Cllr Tony Buchanan (Vice-Chair), Provost Mary Montague, Councillors Paul Edlin, Annette Ireland, David Macdonald, Gordon Wallace.

Cc: Chief Auditor Michelle Blair

Dear Chair and Committee Members

Would appreciate courtesy of acknowledgement and response accepting request that you raise this matter at the next Audit & Scrutiny Committee Meeting and investigate why East Renfrewshire Council Tax Payers are being denied access to The Chief Auditor, East Renfrewshire Council by Council Officials.

Again,

I really must protest in the strongest terms that on a matter where

a Councillor Committee Chair has apparently taken money for only chairing 9 of 34 Meetings held since May 2022 and apparently taking the full remuneration (apparently £5,341 for chairing only 1 meeting out of 11 in 2024) and apparently taking this money for work they have not carried out,

that Council Officials have overturned Cllr Wallace's instruction to contact the Chief Auditor and denied access to the Chief Auditor to investigate transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.

It is a serious matter to deny access to the Chief Auditor to investigate transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.

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 apparently taking the full remuneration (apparently £5,341 for chairing only 1 meeting out of 11 in 2024) and apparently taking this money for work they have not carried out, would appear to be a serious abuse of the system.

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 ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Cc: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sent: Tuesday, March 11th 2025, 18:25
Subject: Apparent Abuse of Senior Councillor Remuneration

To: Chair Audit & Scrutiny Committee Cllr Andrew Morrison and

Committee Members Cllr Tony Buchanan (Vice-Chair), Provost Mary Montague, Councillors Paul Edlin, Annette Ireland, David Macdonald, Gordon Wallace.

Cc: Chief Auditor Michelle Blair

Dear Chair and Committee Members

I would request that you raise this matter at the next Audit & Scrutiny Committee Meeting and investigate why East Renfrewshire Council Tax Payers are being denied access to The Chief Auditor, East Renfrewshire Council by Council Officials.

It is a serious matter to deny access to the Chief Auditor to investigate transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.

I really must protest in the strongest terms that on a matter where

a Councillor Committee Chair has apparently taken money for only chairing 9 of 34 Meetings held since May 2022 and apparently taking the full remuneration (apparently £5,341 for chairing only 1 meeting out of 11 in 2024) and apparently taking this money for work they have not carried out,

that Council Officials have overturned Cllr Wallace's instruction to contact the Chief Auditor and denied access to the Chief Auditor to investigate transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.

Committee Member Cllr wallace has stated that he has responsibility -

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

- I wrote to the Chief auditor (16/2/2025) attached below on the instruction of Cllr Gordon Wallace.

'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 .,'

Council Leader Cllr Owen O'Donnell also instructed that the Chief Auditor be contacted

'...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:...'

I received this email (with no signature/name) denying me access to the Chief Auditor -

------ 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,
Legal Services

The Leader of the Council Cllr Owen O'Donnell did not address the issue of this apparent Senior Councillor Remuneration Abuse.

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 apparently taking the full remuneration (apparently £5,341 for chairing only 1 meeting out of 11 in 2024) and apparently taking this money for work they have not carried out, would appear to be a serious abuse of the system.

Again,

I really must protest in the strongest terms that on a matter where

a Councillor Committee Chair has apparently taken money for only chairing 9 of 34 Meetings held since May 2022 and apparently taking the full remuneration (apparently £5,341 for chairing only 1 meeting out of 11 in 2024) and apparently taking this money for work they have not carried out,

that Council Officials have overturned Cllr Wallace's instruction to contact the Chief Auditor and denied access to the Chief Auditor to investigate transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.

It is a serious matter to deny access to the Chief Auditor to investigate transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.

I would request that you raise this matter at the next Audit & Scrutiny Committee Meeting and investigate why East Renfrewshire Council Tax Payers are being denied access to The Chief Auditor, East Renfrewshire Council by Council Officials.

Thanks

------ 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

Subject: Special Planning Applications Committee Meeting - Tuesday 15 April 2025 at 2.00pm - 40 MW battery energy storage facility - by: RM64

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 08:43:19 +0000

Business Operations and Partnerships Department
Director of Business Operations & Partnerships: Louise Pringle
Council Headquarters, Eastwood Park, Giffnock, East Renfrewshire, G46 6UG
Phone: 0141 577 3000
website: www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk
Date: 8 April 2025
When calling please ask for: John Burke (Tel No. 0141 577 3026)
e-mail:- This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

TO: Councillors B Cunningham (Chair), J McLean (Vice Chair), P Edlin, A Ireland, C Lunday, M Montague and A Morrison.

PLANNING APPLICATIONS COMMITTEE
A meeting of the Planning Applications Committee will be held in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Eastwood Park, Giffnock on

Tuesday 15 April 2025 at 2.00pm.

The agenda of business is as shown below.
Louise Pringle
L PRINGLE
DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS & PARTNERSHIPS

AGENDA
1. Report apologies for absence.
2. Declarations of Interest.
3. Applications for planning permission for consideration by the committee - Report by
Director of Environment (copy attached, pages 3 - 28 ).

For information on how to access the virtual meeting, please e-mail:-
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

A recording of the Council meeting will also be available following the meeting on the
Council’s YouTube Channel

www.youtube.com/user/eastrenfrewshire/videos

This document can be explained to you in other languages and can be provided in
alternative formats such as large print and Braille. For further information, please
contact Customer First on 0141 577 3001 or email

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

You can read papers/reports on Council webpage here -

www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/PAC-150425

TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING (SCOTLAND) ACT 1997 AS AMENDED BY THE PLANNING ETC (SCOTLAND) ACT 2006 PLANNING (LISTED BUILDINGS AND CONSERVATION AREAS) (SCOTLAND) ACT 1997
Draft index of applications under the above acts to be considered by Planning Applications Committee on 15th April 2025.

Reference No: 2025/0043/TP Ward: 5
Applicant:
GPC 1137 Ltd
3rd Floor
1 Ashley Road
Altrincham
Cheshire
WA14 2DT

Agent:
Paul Booth
1 Bar Lane
York
YO1 6JU

Site: Land At The East Side Of Glasgow Road Eaglesham G76 0DN

Description: Construction and operation of a 40 MW battery energy storage facility together with associated infrastructure, substation, security fencing, CCTV, security lighting and landscaping.

Please click here for further information on this application

ercbuildingstandards.eastrenfrewshire.go...keyVal=SQLG65GPIX900