HC Deb 11 November 1980 vol 992 cc277-8

Lords amendment: No. 22, after clause 22, in page 22, line 37, at the end insert: E—(1) The following section shall be inserted after section 3 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973:—

"VICE-CHAIRMAN

3A.—(1) A council may appoint a member of the council to be vice-chairman of the council.

(2) The vice-chairman shalt hold office until the expiry of the term of office of the council.

(3) A person holding the office of vice-chairman shall be eligible for re-election as vice-chairman but shall cease to hold that office upon ceasing to be a councillor.

(4) Subject to any standing order made by council, anything authorised or required to be done by, to or before the chairman may be done by, to or before the vice-chairman.

(5) A council may pay the vice-chairman, for the purpose of enabling him to meet the expenses of his office, such allowance as the council think reasonable."

(2) Section 20 above does not extend to Scotland and this section applies to Scotland only."

Mr. King

I beg to move, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said amendment.

The effect of the amendment is to extend the payment of allowances to vice-chairmen of Scottish authorities. It extends to Scottish local authorities a power that has been available to English and Welsh local authorities since the reorganisation of local government, and I know that the amendment has wide support, including that of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.

Question put and agreed to.

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