What's the Big Secret?
I am pleased to report that since the article was published - Councillor Pat Watters - has now declared his COSLA remuneration on his Register of Interests - which all councillors are required to do by law.
Councillor Watters amended his register in May 2011 - but the new entry simply declares the fact that Pat does indeed receive remuneration for acting as COSLA President - without declaring the actual amount.
So what's the big secret?
Surely COSLA and Councillor Watters want to be open and transparent - in which case it shouldn't be such a struggle - to find out how public money is being spent.
Funny how defensive some organisations become - just because you ask them a reasonable question.
Daylight Is Still The Best Disinfectant
As regular readers know - COSLA is a members' club for Scotland's 32 local councils - see post dated 18 March 2011.
Yet COSLA is not covered by the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - despite being funded almost completely by public money raised via its member councils.
The work of COSLA is overseen by a team of 'senior' councillors - a President and four Vice-Presidents who are also councillors in their own local council areas.
At the moment the line-up is:
COSLA President
Councillor Pat Watters - South Lanarkshire Council (Labour)
COSLA Vice-Presidents
Neil Fletcher - Aberdeen City Council (Liberal Democrat)
Alex MacDonald - Western Isles Island Council (Independent)
Corrie McChord - Stilring Council (Labour)
Rob Murray - Angus Council (SNP)
Now the COSLA President and Vice Presidents all get time-off from their normal council duties to deal with COSLA business - as you would expect.
A bit like a local trade union rep getting time off from their employer - to deal with union business.
But the President and Vice Presidents all receive significant sums of public money - for carrying out their COSLA functions - in addition to their local council duties.
"So how much do they get paid?", I hear you ask.
Well that's a secret, apparently - as is the method by which their pay is determined - since COSLA is not covered by Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.
The last time I heard the COSLA President received £20,000 a year and the Vice Presidents £10,000 a year.
Even more bizarre is the fact that the four Vice Presidents all declare their COSLA remuneration - in their individual 'register of interests'.
Now the four Vice Presidents don't say how much they receive from COSLA - which is a bit odd - because what's the big secret - it's public money after all?
But at least they register the existence of a payment - as all councillors are required to do by law.
Yet Scotland's most senior councillor - COSLA President, Pat Watters - fails to include this information in his own 'register of interests' at South Lanarkshire Council.
Having checked the council web site this morning - the only remuneration entry for Councillor Pat Watters is:
"07/09/2010 Category 1 Remuneration Director of Cannedheat, 16 Aitken Road, Hamilton (Investigation Company)"
Now why would that be?
