How much variation is possible between local authorities?
Registration has been tightly defined at national level. The information which a local authority can demand has been prescribed by Ministers and must therefore be the same in all areas. A local authority is able to ask for further information on a voluntary basis only. With regard to the fit and proper person test, the Scottish Government has highlighted in Guidance that it is expected that local authorities will take account of judgements elsewhere when deciding whether or not to register an applicant; however, the local authority is the registering authority and, ultimately, makes its own judgement as to fitness and propriety. With regard to fees, the principal fee and the structure for calculating discounts and additional fees have been set nationally. Fee levels are therefore uniform across Scotland.
Registration has been tightly defined at national level. The information which a local authority can demand has been prescribed by Ministers and must therefore be the same in all areas. A local authority is able to ask for further information on a voluntary basis only. With regard to the fit and proper person test, the Scottish Government has highlighted in Guidance that it is expected that local authorities will take account of judgements elsewhere when deciding whether or not to register an applicant. But the local authority is the registering authority and, ultimately, makes its own judgement as to fitness and propriety. With regard to fees, the principal fee and the structure for calculating discounts and additional fees have been set nationally. Fee levels are therefore uniform across Scotland.
