Response to media questions on Councillor Remuneration

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries:

Councillor salaries are set by Scottish Parliament legislation. All basic councillors across Scotland receive the same amount as per the legislation. Each council is also graded depending on size between four categories A to D. The category is determined by the total number of councillors in the local authority.

The category that each council falls into determines the number of senior councillors that each individual council receives. So a senior councillor in Glasgow, the biggest council in Scotland, is deemed to have greater responsibility than a senior councillor in Clackmannanshire Council, which is the smallest local authority in Scotland. The Scottish Government funding to councils reflects the level of responsibility the senior councillors hold.

The Scottish Government legislation also sets out the rates for the civic head/ convenor. In West Dunbartonshire the Convenor of the Council is the Provost. The legislation also sets out the remuneration for the Leader of each Council based on the four categories within the legislation.

In simple terms a small council like Clackmannanshire will carry out the same range of services and duties as our largest council, Glasgow City Council. However, the Scottish Government legislation recognises the different level of responsibility that individual councillors may have due to the size of the local authority.

Expenses:

Council Leader Martin Rooney said:

“The total individual expenses of all 22 West Dunbartonshire Councillors was £16,126. This works out an average of £733 each year, per Councillor or £61 per month and includes, travel, telephone and subsistence. Eight Labour Councillors have claimed less than the £733 average. Most of the Labour Administration Councillors reimbursed expenses relate to travel as they have a requirement to attend COSLA meetings and other events relating to their convenorships. Although I haven’t personally submitted any claims over the last year, the costs of my travel to Edinburgh of £298 have been met using a council purchase card that I was issued with for this purpose. The Council also provides all elected members with a mobile phone. Last year my council phone bill totalled £298, which works out as £5.73 per week for council business. Occasionally, some councillors are required to attend a conference as part of their public responsibilities, the additional travel expenses and any overnight costs for a hotel are legitimate business expenses that can be recovered by the individual Councillor.”

A spreadsheet showing individual West Dunbartonshire Councillors expenses claimed/reimbursed is below:

2015-2016 Councillor Expenses – Individuals

Scottish Government Guidance:

http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2010/04/12120139/2

 

Employment Trends West Dunbartonshire

 

 

 

 

 

It’s been a difficult  period economically for West Dunbartonshire but we seem to have come through the worst. It’s not clear yet what impact leaving the European Union will have locally and were unlikely to know for a few years yet.

 

Employment in West Dunbartonshire’s construction and manufacturing industries rose between 2013 and 2014 to its highest level for 5 years.

While service employment increased between 2012 and 2013 it subsequently fell between 2013 and 2014, with the financial and other businesses services sub-sector and public administration, education and health sectors most affected.

 

Some Employment trends by sector are below:

	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014
Manufacturing	2,500	2,300	2,300	2,400	2,200	2,500
Construction	1,700	1,400	1,400	1,300	1,000	1,200
Services	27,800	27,700	27,400	25,300	26,400	25,700
Total	32,000	31,400	31,100	29,000	29,600	29,400

 

West Dunbartonshire Manufacturing, Construction & Services Employment 2009-2014 (NOMIS 2016).

 

 

Council marks 100 years of Balloch Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Council has marked the centenary of the opening of Balloch Castle Country Park by unveiling a special plaque at the park entrance.

Councillor Michelle McGinty revealed the commemorative plaque on behalf of the Provost at a ceremony attended by members of the public, local community councillors, and members of the Council’s Greenspace team. The plaque is located at the Balloch Road entrance to the park and celebrates the 100^th anniversary of the park opening to the public on 1 July 1916.

 

The castle and park were originally a private estate dating back to the Medieval period, when Earls of Lennox lived there, and were bought by Glasgow City Council in 1915 before Dumbarton District Council took on a long-term lease of the site in 1980.

Over the years the popular park has played host to several events, including major gigs from Oasis and REM during the 1990s that attracted crowds of more than 80,000 people. It has also received major investment, including a £2.5million Heritage Lottery funded restoration from 2005-2008 and the ongoing £1million project to renovate the 200-year-old castle, which is due to complete this Summer.

Councillor McGinty said: “I was delighted to welcome so many local residents and members of Balloch and Haldane Community Council to mark 100 years of Balloch Castle Country Park. The park is such an iconic location in West Dunbartonshire and represents the rich history and beautiful scenery that continues to attract visitors to our area. Our heritage is a point of pride among our residents, so it is wonderful to be able to celebrate the centenary of the park in this way.”

Provost Douglas McAllister added: “Balloch Castle Country Park means a lot to so many of our citizens and is such an asset to have on our doorstep, with many rare and unusual trees and species of bird not commonly found this far north. For that reason it is fantastic to be able to mark 10 decades of public access to the park; it has brought joy to many millions of people during that time.”

£2.8m funding to restore Levengrove Park’s historic character

 

 

 

 

 

 

A project to transform Dumbarton’s Levengrove Park has taken a major step forward after securing a £2.8 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The investment will allow the many historic features within the Victorian park to be restored to their former glory, and the building of a new pavilion with cafe, and revamped play areas.

Some of the work will include bringing Kilmahew Fountain back into working order, enhancing Shiers Well and St Serf’s Church, and recreating the original main entrance.

Paths will also be upgraded and lights installed between the main entrance and pavilion, as part of the overall £3.7 million project. The Council will be investing £920,000 to the project, with the additional funding being provided by Historic Environment Scotland.

Councillor Patrick McGlinchey, Convener for Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development, said: “It is fantastic that we have secured this significant grant funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund to support our restoration of Levengrove Park’s historic character and upgrade its amenities. We take pride in the many fantastic parks and greenspaces across West Dunbartonshire and by carrying out these works it will help to enhance an already wonderful public space. As well as restoring the historic features, the park will also benefit from a new pavilion, toilets and cafe which will be a welcome addition for many residents. Once the work is completed Levengrove will be transformed and with its stunning setting on the banks of the Clyde will offer visitors an experience which it will be hard to rival anywhere else in Scotland.”

Lucy Casot, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland, added: “A wonderful legacy from our ancestors, public parks are increasingly under threat which makes this investment of National Lottery players’ money even more vital. Levengrove is enjoyed by all ages as a place to relax and reconnect with nature away from the pressures of daily life. As Love Parks Week begins, we’re delighted to show our commitment to protecting this precious green space making a difference to the quality of life for the people of West Dunbartonshire.”

Officially opened in 1885, Levengrove Park is the only Victorian park in West Dunbartonshire and was widely regarded as one of the top parks in the West of Scotland.

The park currently attracts almost 150,000 visits each year and it is expected that following completion of this work an additional 50,000 people will visit annually.

When developing the plans, a wide range of community consultations and visitors surveys have been carried out to ensure local residents are fully involved in the process.

The Friends of Levengrove Park group, which has 31 members, has been heavily involved in developing the plans through monthly meetings, and will continue to play a key part in delivering the project’s action plan.

Eight jobs will also be created as part of the project, with three posts in the new pavilion café, two apprentice gardeners, two park rangers and a Community Engagement Ranger being taken on.

The Ranger will lead the delivery of the park activity plan, which focuses on developing community and visitor engagement with the park’s heritage and other features. This will include open days, guided walks and exhibitions.

Councillor David McBride, Vice Convener of Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development, said: “This £3.7m project will transform Levengrove Park and make it even more attractive for residents to get out and get active, as we constantly strive to improve the wellbeing of our communities. The improvement works will also play an important role in attracting more tourists to the area, which will help to improve economic growth and support the continued regeneration of Dumbarton. By offering employment opportunities, engaging with schools and focusing on educating visitors about the park’s rich heritage it will also ensure that Levengrove continues to be a wonderful asset for our communities.”

Residents interested in finding out more about the project or want the opportunity to play a part in shaping the final plans, can become part of the Friends of Levengrove Park group. For more information, go to the Friends of Levengrove Facebook page.

The Councils submission in February 2014 is below:

FINAL SUBMISSION FEBRUARY 2014