Councillors allowances and expenses
Councillors' remuneration
The Scottish Local Authorities Remuneration Committee (SLARC) has carried out an independent national review of councillors' terms and conditions, including pay.
The remit of this review was set by COSLA and Scottish Government to ensure that terms and conditions truly reflect the responsibilities of a modern-day Councillor, and that remuneration does not act as a barrier to encouraging a diverse range of people to stand for elected office. This was the first review of its kind since 2014.
Key recommendations were accepted by Scottish Government and regulations were laid before Parliament on 23 January 2025.
As set out in the regulations, East Lothian will move from being a Band A council to a Band B council. As these are nationally agreed levels, an uplift in pay for elected members will apply from 1 April 2025.
As a result of the regulations and change of band, East Lothian Council - which currently has five senior councillors - has the ability to set up 10 Senior Councillor Responsibility Allowances (SRAs). However, any such change would require a decision to be made at a future meeting of the council.
The remuneration levels which will apply for councillors in East Lothian from 1 April 2025 are:
Councillor - £25,982
Council Leader - £50,063
Provost/ Civic Head - £37,548
Senior Councillors (Cabinet members and Leader of the Opposition) - £37,548
Register of Payments
The Register of Payments to Elected Members shows the amounts received by elected members by way of salary, allowances and expenses.