Explanatory note

The Local Authorities Etc. (Allowances) (Scotland) Regulations 1991 (“the principal Regulations”) make provision for the payment of allowances to members of existing local authorities, joint boards and certain related bodies. They do not apply to the new unitary councils to be elected on 6th April 1995.

These Regulations increase the maximum aggregate amount of special responsibility allowance payable to any one member from £8,291 to £8,523 per annum (regulation 2(a) and (b)).

These Regulations also increase the maximum rates of payment applicable under sections 45 and 47 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (regulation 2(c) and (d)) and increase from £8,291 to £8,523 per annum the maximum total amount which may be paid in any year in respect of allowances to members of licensing boards under section 49A of that Act (regulation 2(e)).

There is an overall ceiling on the amount of allowances payable by a local authority, which ceiling may be calculated by reference to “the standard maximum” or, if greater, “the transitional maximum”. Schedule 2 to the principal Regulations specifies amounts for computation of “the standard maximum”. These Regulations insert a replacement Schedule 2 specifying increased amounts, except in relation to islands councils (regulation 2(f)).

These Regulations also revoke, subject to a saving, those provisions in the Local Authorities Etc. (Allowances) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 1994 which replaced maximum rates and maximum aggregated amounts in the principal Regulations since those rates and amounts are now themselves replaced in terms of these Regulations.

These Regulations have effect on and after 1st April 1995.