A survey conducted by the Improvement Service, COSLA and the Scottish Government showed that councillors elected in 2007 are younger and despite the low number of female councillors, women do well once they take office.

New councillors are younger

Just over half of those elected in May 2007 had previously served as councillors, so there are a significant number of new faces across Scottish Councils. The average age of the newly elected councillors was lower than their re-elected colleagues, at 52 years old compared to 57.

Councillors still working long hours

Councillors re-elected in 2007 estimated that they previously spent an average of 34 hours per week on council business, while newly elected councillors anticipate spending 30 hours per week. The average number of hours in paid employment reported by councillors each week is 27.7 hours (not including council duties). The "average" councillor can therefore be estimated to be working a 62 hour week on council business and private employment.

Councillors are publicly motivated

The overwhelming majority of councillors - at 85.5% - stood for election out of an "interest in the community", while others wanted to " improve the services and/or the local area" (79.7%), with a sense of "duty/public service" driving 60% of councillors to put themselves forward.

Female councillors do well in local government

While just 21% of councillors are women, female elected members nevertheless hold positions in the council which are roughly proportionate to their male counterparts. For example, 4% of both female and male councillors are council leaders of conveners.

The average age of councillors responding to the survey was 54 years old and 78% of respondents were male.

The Scottish Government conducted a complimentary study on the profile of unsuccessful candidates to be published in May 2008. Once published this report can be accessed at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/Recent.

The full report on Scotland's councillors is now available to download.

Related documents

National Survey of Local Government Candidates 2007
National Survey of Local Government Candidates and Councillors 2007 - Summary of Research Findings