The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.
All Official Reports of meetings in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament.
All Official Reports of public meetings of committees.
Displaying 948 contributions
Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee
Meeting date: 14 September 2021
Paul McLennan
Does Karen Greaves have any thoughts on the question?
Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee
Meeting date: 14 September 2021
Paul McLennan
I will ask Karen Greaves the same question. In the consultation, was there any feedback from communities on the disparities in the voter-to-councillor ratio and the number of councillors that they had?
Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee
Meeting date: 14 September 2021
Paul McLennan
This issue has been touched on, but do you think that having variations in the councillor to voter ratio could impact on effective local government? I know that the position will probably vary from area to area.
Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee
Meeting date: 14 September 2021
Paul McLennan
Was there much consultation with the public on the issue? Was there feedback from members of the public on the number of councillors that they want for their ward area?
Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee
Meeting date: 14 September 2021
Paul McLennan
I, too, refer everyone to my entry in the register of members’ interests. I am a councillor on East Lothian Council. I will direct my question to Karen Greaves first. What are your views on how Boundaries Scotland has applied the criteria for boundary reform during the review?
Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee
Meeting date: 14 September 2021
Paul McLennan
My question is for Maggie Sandison. I think that both witnesses have already touched on this, but could variations in the voter-to-councillor ratio across wards impact on effective and convenient local government? Obviously, the issue is relevant to the isles, so I would like to hear your thoughts on it.
Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee
Meeting date: 14 September 2021
Paul McLennan
Thank you for that, Maggie. I ask the same question of Douglas Hendry and then Derek Mackay.
Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee
Meeting date: 9 September 2021
Paul McLennan
Okay. Thank you.
Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee
Meeting date: 9 September 2021
Paul McLennan
On that point—and this might be anecdotal—when complaints and cases come in, does the member of the public who is complaining understand the details of the 2021 act, or does the complaint come in and you then have to say that it relates to paragraph 7 or whatever of the code of conduct? Do complainants quote the act? I am just trying to get an understanding. Is there a better understanding of the code itself or is it just that, as you said, people have had more time and send in something general that they think is out of order? I am trying to understand the balance.
Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee
Meeting date: 9 September 2021
Paul McLennan
I take it that there is appropriate feedback. If a case or a complaint comes in, there is feedback as to why it not possible to go any further.