The Renewing Local Democracy Working Group

1. Introduction

Following the recommendation of the McIntosh Commission that a review should be set up to identify the most appropriate voting system for Scottish local government the Minister for Communities, Wendy Alexander MSP, announced the formation of the Renewing Local Democracy Working Group in July 1999.

2. Membership of the Renewing Local Democracy Working Group

The members of the Working Group came from a wide range of backgrounds, and included representatives of the four main political parties:

Richard Kerley - Chair; Director of MBA University of Edinburgh; former councillor
Neil McIntosh - Chair of the McIntosh Commission
Marilyn Livingstone - MSP (Labour)
Sheila Ritchie - former leader of Gordon District Council (Liberal Democrat)
Maureen Watt - former councillor, Grampian Regional Council (SNP)
Bill Speirs - General Secretary STUC
Norman Murray - President COSLA
Daphne Sleigh - Edinburgh councillor (Conservative)
Sandra Osborne - MP (Labour)
Vikram Lall - corporate finance director of Bell Lawrie