Scotland


Free school meals for an extra 90,000 primary pupils in Scotland 07/06/2021 Local authorities in Scotland will be given nearly £50m in new funding to provide free school meals for 90,000 primary pupils.
Local government pension fund makes divestment threat 02/06/2021 Scotland’s largest local government pension fund will drop investments in fossil fuel firms that fail to act on the climate emergency.
Sustainability of Scottish councils 'at risk' without long term financial certainty, watchdog warns 27/05/2021 The financial sustainability of Scottish councils is at risk without a longer-term settlement, the public spending watchdog has warned today.
Data sharing 'crucial' to how councils managed pandemic, study reveals 27/05/2021 Data sharing was critical to how Scottish councils responded to the COVID-19 crisis, academics have revealed.
Scottish elections 2021: SNP secures fourth consecutive victory 08/05/2021 The SNP has won three key seats in the 2021 Scottish elections, although it is unclear if they have done enough to secure a majority before the second day of counting.
Scotland has some of least local councils in Europe, says campaign group 04/05/2021 Scotland has some of the least local councils in Europe and is lagging behind England in terms of voter representation per councillor, new research has found.
Scottish councils see 22,000 jobs cuts since 2007, say campaigners 29/04/2021 The SNP has been accused of overseeing the loss of 22,000 council jobs since coming into power by campaigners.
Unions reject councils’ pay offer 26/04/2021 Scottish members of two trade unions have voted to reject a pay offer from councils, raising the prospect of strike action.
Lockdown rules eased in Scotland ahead of schedule 16/04/2021 New rules governing travel and outdoor socialising in Scotland have come into force today.
COSLA pay offer ‘slap in the face’, union says 18/03/2021 Unison has accused the body representing local authorities in Scotland of making a pay offer that ‘falls far short’ of what local government workers deserve.
Scottish islands to receive £100m boost 18/03/2021 The UK and Scottish governments have signed an investment agreement that could deliver a £335m boost for Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides.
COSLA calls on all parties to make commitment to local government 23/02/2021 Scottish councils have urged all political parties to give local government ‘the place and respect it deserves’ in their manifestos.
Scottish Budget 'falls short' 29/01/2021 The Scottish Government’s £11.6bn budget ‘falls short of the fair funding local government requires,’ councils have said.
Scottish councils' cost call 27/01/2021 Scottish local authorities have called for the costs of COVID-19 to be met by the Government north of the border.
Spending watchdog raises 'serious concerns' over Integration Joint Boards 26/01/2021 Councils in Scotland are having to provide financial support to Integration Joint Boards (IJBs), the spending watchdog has warned.
Auditors call for more collaboration to drive digital transformation 14/01/2021 Auditors have called for greater collaboration between Scottish local authorities when it comes to the use of digital technology.
Labour announces ‘constitutional commission’ on devolution 21/12/2020 Leader Sir Keir Starmer said it will look at transferring more powers from Westminster to local leaders.
Proportional votes to come to Wales 19/11/2020 Proportional voting will be introduced to Welsh council elections for the first time as the franchise is extended to 16- and 17-year olds and foreigners.
£500m bus partnership fund open to bids 11/11/2020 The Scottish Government's £500m Bus Partnership Fund to deliver bus priority infrastructure has opened for applications.
Holyrood announces £15m for young people with mental health issues 03/11/2020 The Scottish government has announced that £15m will be made available to local authorities to help them support children and young people who are struggling with mental health issues.
Scots union calls for urgent meeting to address funding 30/10/2020 Unison Scotland has called for an urgent meeting with Scottish finance secretary Kate Forbes in a bit to address the growing finance crisis.
Sturgeon unveils lockdown restrictions for every Scottish council 30/10/2020 Each council in Scotland has been told which coronavirus level they have been placed in, with none facing the toughest restrictions.
Holyrood announces £16m for fuel-poor households 17/09/2020 Fuel-poor households in Scotland are to benefit from a further £16m investment to improve energy efficiency in their homes, Scottish government announces.
Scottish councils release blueprint for change 07/09/2020 A local government blueprint laying out the changes required to unlock councils’ full potential has been published by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) today.
Scottish councils get active travel funding boost 26/08/2020 The Scottish Government has cut its match funding requirement for permanent active travel infrastructure after giving councils nearly £39m for pop-up physical distancing schemes.
MSPs to explore COVID-19 impact on council finances 23/07/2020 The impact of the coronavirus crisis on local government finances in Scotland is to be investigated by a Holyrood Committee.
Scots councils to get COVID cash top up 23/06/2020 The Scottish Parliament has agreed to top up its funding to councils to deal with the coronavirus crisis.
LGA split over worker bonus 26/05/2020 A cross-party agreement that the Local Government Association (LGA) would lobby for a coronavirus payment to staff was ditched after senior councillors blocked the move, The MJ can reveal.
Scots charities launch bid to end rough sleeping 21/05/2020 A coalition of Scots charities will today present plans their plans to end rough sleeping to the Scottish Government.
Councils resist government's changed 'stay alert' message 15/05/2020 Areas with higher coronavirus rates have urged residents to stay at home amid fears the Government’s change of message to ‘stay alert’ was confusing.
Scottish council chiefs welcome extra social care support 24/03/2020 Local authority leaders have welcomed the Scottish government’s commitment to give extra support to councils to support social care in the face of Covid-19.
Budget 2020: New West Yorkshire mayor announced 11/03/2020 A new directly-elected West Yorkshire mayor has been announced with the Government signing a new devolution deal amid plans to ‘level up’ the UK economy.
City region deal to be signed 25/02/2020 The Stirling and Clackmannanshire city region deal will be signed by council leaders and representatives of the UK and Scottish governments today.
Scottish councils warn budget will 'devastate communities' 18/02/2020 Councils in Scotland have warned that efforts to tackle child poverty, climate change or deliver inclusive growth are at risk under the draft budget.
Councils warn about 'hidden cuts' in Scottish Budget 06/02/2020 Council leaders have complained about ‘hidden cuts’ in a Scottish Budget that will deliver £11.3bn for council services in 2020/21.
Scotland has ‘highest rate’ of homeless deaths in Britain, figures reveal 06/02/2020 Scotland has over twice the number of homelessness deaths than England, ‘experimental statistics’ reveal.
Auditors call for ‘clarity’ of privately financed contracts 29/01/2020 Auditors in Scotland have called for ‘more clarity’ when it comes to financing public infrastructure projects.
Scottish councils sign £700m contract to ‘transform waste’ 16/01/2020 Five Scottish councils have signed a contract that will see up to 190,000 tonnes of black bag waste diverted from landfill and converted to low carbon energy.
Councils welcome early Budget for Scotland 14/01/2020 Council leaders in Scotland have welcomed the news of an early Scottish Budget to provide certainty for public services.
Scottish residents ‘excited’ about digitisation 03/12/2019 Eight in 10 Scottish citizens believe their local councils should embrace a wider range of digital technologies, a poll has revealed.
Sturgeon announces £27m to promote walking and cycling 16/10/2019 More than 200 ‘active travel’ projects across Scotland are set to receive a multi-million pound investment, Scotland’s first minister has announced.
Glasgow faces legal battle over homeless services 03/10/2019 Shelter Scotland has launched a legal battle against Glasgow City Council over failures in its homelessness service.
Named person scheme dropped 20/09/2019 A mandatory named person scheme for every child in Scotland – underpinned by law – will not now happen, deputy first minister John Swinney has announced.
Scottish councils face up to £59m planning costs 28/08/2019 The Planning Act could cost councils in Scotland up to £59m over the next 10 years in new burdens.
Nearly £400m to be invested along the English and Scottish border 02/07/2019 Just under £395m is to be invested into five local authority areas on both sides of the border between England and Scotland, Whitehall and Holyrood say.
Holyrood announces ambition to cut food waste by one third 25/04/2019 The Scottish government has unveiled plans to help reduce food waste by one third by 2025.
Senior director resigns amid speculation of suspension 27/03/2019 A senior director at Aberdeen City Council has resigned, the local authority has confirmed.
Holyrood publishes guidance to help support young people with additional needs 27/03/2019 Councils in Scotland are being given extra help to improve its 'world-leading' education for young people with additional support needs.
Scottish councils ‘lack diversity’, report reveals 11/03/2019 Women and ethnic minorities are underrepresented at the local level in Scotland and many face harassment, an equalities study has revealed.
Scottish councils ‘delighted’ at new pay deal with unions 05/03/2019 Council workers have welcomed a new pay deal that is set to deliver cost of living increases over the next few years after a decade of stagnating wages.
Scotland’s landfill ban will be £100m tax gift to England, waste experts say 27/02/2019 Waste management experts have ‘expressed deep concern’ that Scotland is not prepared for a landfill ban which will lead to higher haulage costs for councils.
Holyrood passes £42.5bn budget but warns of Brexit recession 22/02/2019 Holyrood has approved the 2019-20 budget which will see billions invested into public services — but warned Brexit could push Scotland into recession.
Edinburgh council votes in favour of ‘tourist tax’ 08/02/2019 City of Edinburgh councillors have voted in favour for what could be the UK’s first ‘tourist tax’.
Nearly £1bn cut from Scottish authorities in past eight years 05/02/2019 Funding cuts are finally beginning to take their toll as Scottish councils can no longer protect services, according to report published today.
Tax reforms and £90m secured in Scottish budget deal 31/01/2019 A £90m windfall for local authorities and moves to reform council tax have been pledged by the Scottish Government.
Holyrood urged to promote gender equality in education 25/01/2019 The Scottish government is being urged to establish a new commission to promote equality for girls and women in education.
MSPs urge councils to provide free music lessons 22/01/2019 Local authorities have been urged not to charge for music tuition in schools, in a new report published by MSPs.
Scottish council chiefs ‘disappointed’ by Holyrood cuts 13/12/2018 Council chiefs in Scotland are ‘disappointed’ that the value of local services was not recognised by the Scottish government in yesterday’s budget.
Scottish councils ‘concerned’ at lack of social housing 13/12/2018 Three-quarters of Scottish adults think there is a shortage of homes for social rent, according to research from a public sector procurement specialist.
Pressure on Scottish councils ‘shows no signs of easing’ 29/11/2018 Scottish councils are managing in the face of cuts and rising demands on services but they ‘face a difficult time ahead’, a financial watchdog has warned.
Councillors silenced on secret fiscal devolution report 31/10/2018 Senior councillors have been warned not to talk about a secret Local Government Association (LGA) report that models what fiscal devolution might look like, The MJ has been told.
Unions offered new pay rise to avert strike action 14/09/2018 A new pay offer has been put forward by councils in Scotland in a bid to avert industrial action.
Northern Irish councils call for further devolution 21/06/2018 The time is now right to extend the responsibilities of local government in Northern Ireland through greater devolution from Stormont, a new report said today.
Local government figures celebrated in Queen's birthday honours 11/06/2018 The former interim chief executive of Birmingham City Council, Stella Manzie, has been made a Dame in the Queen’s birthday honours for services to local government.
Scottish council chiefs warn cuts have left them ‘no room’ to manoeuvre 22/05/2018 Scottish local government leaders warn they have ‘no room left to manoeuvre’ as new figures reveal the extent of cuts to council budgets.
Whitehall grabs £875m Right to Buy receipts 25/04/2018 Labour has demanded immediate Right to Buy (RTB) reforms after figures obtained by The MJ revealed the amount councils lose to Whitehall under the regime.
Scottish council staff urged to reject ‘unacceptable’ pay offer 13/04/2018 A Scottish trade union has urged its members to reject the offer of a pay increase up to 3%.
Scottish government under pressure over council pay 22/01/2018 Scotland’s Government is under pressure to reverse planned council budget cuts after MSPs warned ministers created an ‘expectation’ town hall staff would receive pay hikes.
Unions call for 6.5% pay increase for Scottish council workers 15/01/2018 Trade unions representing local government workers across Scotland have called for a 6.5% pay rise for Scottish council workers.
Scots Budget reveals plan to increase income tax bands 14/12/2017 The Scottish Government has unveiled a draft budget which raises income tax in a bid to raise an extra £164m to pay for public services.
Participatory budgeting given go ahead in Scotland 30/10/2017 Residents in Scotland will be given a say in how £100m of council funds are to be used after a ‘landmark’ agreement was reached between the Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.
Holyrood introduces ‘first ever’ Islands Bill 13/06/2017 A bill dedicated to protecting the ‘unique needs’ of Scotland’s islands was introduced to the Scottish Parliament yesterday.

Sharpening the commercial edge

The case for well-managed council commercial activity is one that needs to be defended if we want a mature and sustainable local state, argues Jonathan Werran.

Slow and steady wins the (cloud migration) race

Sascha Giese? argues that when it comes to cloud migration, local authorities would be wise to opt for a more strategic route and take their time.

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