Karen M Donnelly, Chief Solicitor & Monitoring Officer
Publication:
This Technical Note will be published on the Council’s website following circulation to Members. Its contents may be disclosed or shared outwith the Council.
Details
The purpose of this Technical Note is to update Members on proposed changes to the allowances paid to elected Councillors.
Members will be aware that the allowance paid to elected Councillors is set by statute and updated annually by Scottish Statutory Instrument (SSI).
The relevant SSI (the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 (Remuneration) Amendment Regulations 2026 was laid before the Scottish Parliament on 8 January and proposes to implement the arrangement introduced in 2017, which sees Councillors’ allowances increased annually in line with the percentage increase in the median annual earnings of public sector workers in Scotland. For 2026/27, this amounts to an increase of 3.3% with effect from 1 April 2026.
The SSI will be considered by the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee and has a period of 40 days to disagree with the provisions of the SSI, failing which it will automatically become law and come into effect on 1 April 2026.
In the event of any change or disagreement, officers will update Members accordingly.
