Money for Glasgow will work for Glasgow

John Swinney has today confirmed he will take action to end the payment of remuneration to councillors on the boards of arms length companies set up by councils - known as ALEO's. In Glasgow's Labour council £260,000 of additional payments are made to councillors sitting on the boards of these organisations.

The move follows an independent review by the Scottish Local Authority Remuneration Committee.

SNP Councillors sought to end the payments at the last meeting of Glasgow City Council but were blocked by Labour and the Lib Dems.

Secondary legislation could be used to bring the appointments and payments into line with sections 11-13 of the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004

SNP Finance Secretary John Swinney said: "An independent review has said this system of payments should end and as Glasgow's Labour council haven't put a stop to it voluntarily a re-elected SNP Government will.

"A re-elected SNP Government will take what action is necessary in parliament to bring Glasgow into line and put a stop to this £260,000 of unnecessary payments."

"When it comes to ALEOs we will implement the recommendations of the Local Authorities remuneration review and  bring payments and appointments to these organisations into line with the rest of local government."

SNP Group leader on the council and candidate for Glasgow Cathcart James Dornan added: "The SNP in Glasgow argued in the council for these payments to end but Labour and Lib Dem councillors blocked our efforts.  I welcome John Swinney's commitment to end these payments and put £260,000 of Glasgow's money back to work for Glasgow."

Notes:

The SLARC Review found Glasgow to be the only Council area where significant payments of this kind are made.

SLARC recommended the Scottish Government act on the following:

• Recommendation 29: We recommend that the Scottish Government should bring forward legislation which would bring representation by councillors on boards of companies established, owned or funded by local authorities, including any such companies or organisations inherited by councils as a result of local government re-organisation within the scope of Sections 11 to 13 of the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004.
  
  
• Recommendation 30: We further recommend that the Scottish Government should bring forward legislation which would bring council appointments of councillors on boards of companies or organisations within the scope of Sections 11 to 13 of the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004.
  
  
• Recommendation 31: We further recommend that no additional remuneration other than that provided in the current remuneration scheme should be paid to councillors solely for serving on such bodies.