THE "golden goodbyes" to councillors stepping down at the election will - in most cases - have been earned.

THE "golden goodbyes" to councillors stepping down at the election will - in most cases - have been earned.

There are those who are nothing but freeloaders but they are outnumbered by the many hard workers who keep the wheels of local government turning across Scotland.

Demonising them is a popular sport but most of their critics wouldn't dream of standing for public office.

The pay-offs are proportionately no different to what MPs and MSPs can pick up.

Most councillors give up their time in return for a paltry sum in allowances - sometimes topped up by questionable special responsibility payments.

But the change after May's election to a salary system with proper wages for a full-time job should hopefully usher in a new breed of councillor.

It means the job will be paid properly but, in return, all councillors will have to be seen to be earning their wages.

Time to come clean over Tesco

IT'S not acceptable for Glasgow City Council to refuse to hand over information relating to a proposed new Tesco.

The application to build a store in the West End is one of the most controversial ever seen in Glasgow and has attracted a huge number of objections.

Given the level of public concern, the council should have treated a Freedom of Information request more favourably.

It may have the letter of the law on its side but anything short of being completely transparent leaves the council open to accusations of a "cover up".