The SNP has accused East Renfrewshire’s minority Labour administration of attempting “to buy another vote” after a Conservative councillor’s pay was increased by almost £5,000.
Council leader Owen O’Donnell, Labour, proposed giving a senior councillor allowance to the vice-chair of East Renfrewshire’s planning committee, a role held by Councillor Jim McLean, Conservative.
The increase was passed by nine votes to six, with the SNP objecting to the move. Basic councillor remuneration is £19,571 while senior councillors get £24,467.