28 June 2017
Chair and three Members reappointed to the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland
The Minister for Parliamentary Business today announced the appointment of Ronnie Hinds as Chair and Ailsa Henderson, Roland Bean and Susan Walker as Members of the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland.
Chair
Ronnie Hindshas 30 years’ experience working in local government, including seven years as Chief Executive of Fife Council. Since retiring, Ronnie has served as Chair of the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland and Deputy Chair of the Accounts Commission. This professional background has given Ronnie a strong understanding and knowledge of the role of Local Government and the importance of local accountability for the services provided by council to their communities. Ronnie has skills in strategic planning, consultation and communication which are highly relevant to the role of Chair of the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland. Ronnie has extensive experience of working with elected representatives and senior officials in local government and the wider public sector are of particular value in the conduct of reviews of electoral arrangements for local authorities and the Scottish Parliament.
Members
Ailsa Hendersonis Professor of Political Science at the University of Edinburgh, where she conducts research on voting behaviour and public opinion, Ailsa also teaches courses on statistics and research methods and politics. Ailsa is the principal investigator of the 2014 Scottish Referendum Study and 2016 Scottish Election study.
Roland Beanholds a degree in Geography and Master’s degrees in Urban Design and Regional Planning and Theology, Imagination and Culture. Roland is a retired member of the Royal Town Planning Institute and was previously head of planning with Perth and Kinross Council. Roland brings to the commission knowledge and experience of the geography demography and of local government in Scotland.
Susan Walkerhas a professional background in Environmental Management, having trained as a Geographer and done a Doctorate in Computer Mapping. Over the last twenty years Susan has held a number of Non-Executive Positions. Susan is currently Deputy Chair of Scottish Natural Heritage and a member of the Food Standards Agency Scotland.
APPOINTMENT
All of these appointments will be for four years. Ronnie Hinds and Ailsa Henderson’s appointments will run from 1 September 2017 to 31 August 2021. With Roland Bean and Susan Walker’s appointments running from 1 November 2017 to 31 October 2021.
This appointment is regulated by the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland.
REMUNERATION
All of these appointment are part-time and the Chair position attracts a remuneration of £347 per day for a time commitment of up to two days per month. The members position attracts a remuneration of £219 per day for a time commitment of up to two days per month.
OTHER MINISTERIAL APPOINTMENTS
Ronnie Hinds is Deputy Chair of the Accounts Commission Board, for which he receives remuneration of £265 per day, for a time commitment of oneday per week.
Ailsa Henderson is Commissioner for the Boundary Commission for Scotland Board, for which she receives remuneration of £505.50 per day for a time commitment of 3 days per year.
Susan Walker is Deputy Chair of the Scottish Natural Heritage Board, for which she receives remuneration of £15734 per annum, for a time commitment of 4.5 days per month. Susan is a member of the Food Standards Agency Board, for which she receives remuneration of £207 per day, for a time commitment of four days per month. Susan is also a member of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, for which she receives a remuneration of £294 per day, for a time commitment of 1.5 days per month.
Roland Bean does not hold any other public appointments.
POLITICAL ACTIVITY
All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity within the last five years (if there is any to be declared) to be made public.
Ronnie Hinds, Ailsa Henderson, Roland Bean and Susan Walker did not uphold any political activity in the last five years.
BACKGROUND
The Commission is an Advisory Non-departmental Public Body sponsored and wholly funded by the Scottish Government. It is an independent, non-political body created by the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. They are supported in their work by a small Secretariat which also supports the Boundary Commission for Scotland in its work on UK Parliamentary boundaries in Scotland.