Tag: local government

Alleviating poverty in Scotland requires investment in local government, says COSLA

COSLA: COUNCILS ARE KEY

Alleviating Poverty in Scotland requires investment in Local Government COSLA said today (Monday).

Commenting ahead of the Scottish Budget announcement tomorrow, Councillor Tony Buchanan, COSLA’s Children and Young People Spokesperson said: “If Scotland is to make progress towards alleviating and eradicating poverty, this year’s Scottish Budget must focus on tackling the root causes, with a greater prioritisation of local prevention and early-intervention work – and Councils are key to this.

“This means investment in the essential social supports provided everyday by Councils, in schools, in local community hubs, at the right place, at the right time.

“If the core services aimed at supporting and empowering people to reach their full potential are eroded, as they have been over the last few years as a result of cuts to our core Budgets, then tackling poverty in Scotland will continue to be a significant challenge.

“Action to address poverty and deprivation was noted as a key priority for Scotland in the concluding report on children’s services reform research published by CELCIS last week and reinforces the importance of the shared priority within the Verity House Agreement.

“For too long now, the financial settlement for Local Government has meant that Councils have had to cut spend to services which are needed to tackle poverty – whether they are youth work, social work support or breakfast clubs

This year’s Budget presents the opportunity to reverse this trend, to invest in communities and realise our ambitions to tackle poverty in Scotland.

“Without a fair settlement for Councils in tomorrow’s Budget, the poverty gap in Scotland will continue to grow.

“Investing in Local Government is key to a fairer Scotland.”

Update on a new Fiscal Framework for Local Government

Details of progress towards a new fiscal framework between the Scottish Government and Local Government have been published.

The Verity House Agreement committed the Scottish Government and COSLA to establish a new framework, which will govern how councils’ funding is negotiated and agreed.

It is intended to give councils greater flexibility over their budgets to deliver our shared priorities and meet local needs.

Publishing the update together with COSLA, Deputy First Minister Shona Robison said: “We have made good progress on the new fiscal framework, which is an important plank of the Verity House Agreement and our commitment to better partnership working with local government.

“Already many of the principles we have agreed together are being put into practice, such as improved engagement ahead of the publication of the Scottish Budget and joint working to consider new local tax powers.

“We will continue to work closely with COSLA to progress the next phase of work and continue the positive discussions we’ve had with them on behalf of local councils across Scotland.”

COSLA Resources Spokesperson Councillor Katie Hagmann said: “I welcome this update on progress towards the new fiscal framework – getting this framework in place is a priority for Local Government.

“The new framework should, when complete, give councils greater flexibility over our budgets and enable us to deliver our shared priorities and meet local needs. It will also see much earlier budget engagement.

“The Verity House Agreement commits both spheres of Government to establish a new framework, and it is positive that we have made progress this year but there is more to do, which Ms Robison and I both acknowledge.”

Progress report on the fiscal framework between the Scottish Government and local government

The Verity House Agreement

Shona Robison will lay out the Scottish Government’s 2024-25 Budget tomorrow

Immediate local government reforms required to prevent millions more people living in bankrupt boroughs 

With a record number of councils expected to declare bankruptcy this year, over 60 council leaders and chief executives have contributed to a new Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) manifesto that – if implemented – could prevent millions of people from living in bankrupt boroughs in 2024/25. 

Today’s report, LGiU@40: For the Future of Local Government, calls for a new covenant between central and local government that agrees: an immediate end to competitive bid funding; a return to multi-year financial settlements and early consultation on budgets.

According to the report, almost all leaders and chief executives consulted felt that the level of challenge they were dealing with right now was unlike anything they had seen in their careers to date. Uncertainty over funding and being prevented from making long-term decisions were their biggest complaints and they urged a return to multi-year financial settlements. 

The LGIU’s annual State of Local Government Finance report earlier this year revealed only 14% of senior council figures have confidence in the sustainability of council finances and 7.5% – 12 different councils – said there was a danger that financial constraints could risk their capacity to deliver their statutory duties – the essential services they are legally required to provide. 

This new manifesto was informed by interviews with more than 60 chief executives and leaders from councils of all sizes, types and political control across England, Scotland and Australia, as well as new research that compares the British local government system to those in Italy, Germany and Japan. 

Compounding the funding crises are concerns around status – that central government treats councils as subordinate entities and exerts excessive central control, constraining local government’s autonomy. The new covenant should commit to a system where successful local autonomy is embedded within, and supported by, continual systems of active cooperation between different levels of government. 

In addition to the immediate calls for action, the report proposes several longer-term measures including moving to open devolution, a review of taxation and a single local (or sub-regional) budget for spending on all services. 

LGiU@40: For the Future of Local government was launched today at the LGIU’s first annual Local Democracy Research Centre (LDRC) symposium where guest speakers included Professor Patrick Diamond, Dr Madeleine Pill, Professor Liz Richards, Professor Richard Eccleston, Dr Peter Eckersley, Theo Blackwell MBE (Chief Digital Officer, Mayor of London), and Keiran Pedley (Research Director, Public Affairs, Ipsos). 

Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive, LGIU, said: “Eight councils have now declared bankruptcy leaving nearly 2 million residents facing higher bills for a bare minimum service.

“LGIU research indicates that 12 more councils could declare bankruptcy in 2024/25 and we are calling on the Government to prevent millions more people from being forced to live in bankrupt boroughs by bringing an immediate end to competitive bid funding and returning to multi-year financial settlements based on an area’s need. 

“Local government is responsible for care homes, vulnerable children, emergency accommodation, leisure centres, libraries and so much more. Essential services that genuinely change millions of people’s quality of life on a daily basis.

“Councils are pulling every lever available to stay afloat: raising council tax, raising charges, cutting services, increasing commercial investments, spending finite reserves and selling assets but it is simply not enough. The link between funding and need is completely broken.

“As more and more councils warn that they will soon be unable to balance their books, this is clearly a moment of crisis for local government. But it’s also a moment of opportunity.

“We’re already in the run-up to the next general election; whoever is in government after that election has the opportunity to reset the relationship between central and local government, to finally give councils the tools they need to be the force for change we all need them to be.

“The chief executives and leaders interviewed for LGIU@40 are sending a clear message. We are at a point of crisis, if we fall over the consequences for the country as a whole are catastrophic, but if we are set free to deliver, the opportunities are endless.”

COSLA: Well-funded councils are the key to unlocking the very best for Scotland’s communities

Councils are key to unlocking both the potential and the best outcomes for our local communities but require proper funding to do so, COSLA said yesterday.

The comments came as COSLA launched their Budget Lobbying campaign for the coming year, ahead of the Scottish Government’s Budget announcement on December 19th.

COSLA President, Councillor Shona Morrison, said: “Councils really are the key to unlocking the best for our communities – from safe, quality housing; to clean streets; to supporting the most vulnerable people to thrive; to education and social care – the importance of these services cannot be emphasised enough, but they need to be funded properly.

“We all see the headlines in our local and national press about the difficult financial choices councils need to make, deciding whether to reduce or even cut vital services and ending funding for essential charity and community partners.

“Unfortunately, Councils have no choice but to protect core statutory services, especially with the unprecedented financial challenges we are all experiencing. Budgets are tight, creating risks to many other local services our communities rely on, such as programmes supporting children and young people, sports and leisure facilities and public transport.

“The Verity House Agreement has facilitated positive working between Scottish Local Government and Scottish Government since being signed in June, but COSLA is clear that we must use this to jointly tackle poverty, make a just transition to Net Zero, and achieve sustainable public services.

“Fair funding for Local Government must be a Scottish Government priority in order to unlock the full potential of our councils to achieve these goals.

“The campaign we are launching today clearly illustrates not only the challenges our Councils are facing, but the great potential they have if funded properly. We will continue to work closely with Scottish Government and other partners to get the best deal for our councils and our local communities.”

COSLA Resources Spokesperson Councillor Katie Hagmann added: “What councils deliver with and on behalf of communities is key to creating the safe, healthy, vibrant and empowered communities we all want to see.

“Local Government holds the key to unlocking the potential in local areas, with its unique understanding of context, challenges and opportunities in individual local areas.

“Sadly, our reality right now is an extremely challenging financial climate coupled with years of real-terms cuts to council budgets while additional policy commitments are continually being introduced.

“If this situation doesn’t start to improve soon, it will mean tough choices being made and the many essential services councils currently provide will cease – services that not only address problems on the ground, but actively prevent bigger issues occurring down the line.

“We have been clear that cutting frontline staff isn’t the answer. We need to see Scottish Government investing in Local Government, so we can do what we do best – preventing problems in the first place and improving quality of life.

“The challenges we face nationally are best addressed at the local level, not at crisis point in A&E or within the criminal justice system. From better health to reaching our net zero ambitions to improving our economy, a well-funded Local Government is the key to Scotland achieving a better future.”

Local councillors across Scotland awarded in annual showcase of the best of local government

NO EDINBURGH COUNCILLORS MAKE THE SHORTLIST

LGIU Scotland and CCLA were proud to unveil the winners of the 2023 Cllr Awards; the only national awards ceremony to celebrate the vital work of local councillors across Scotland.

At Edinburgh’s City Chambers, the top prize of the night, Leader of the Year, went to Cllr John Alexander of Dundee City Council.

Cllr Ruairi Kelly of Glasgow City Council walked away with the Community Champion prize and Cllr Heather Woodbridge of Orkney Islands Council claimed Resilience Champion.

Cllr Dan Hutchison, of Glasgow City Council, went home with Young Councillor of the Year while Cllr Helen Wright from Dundee City Council was awarded Lifetime Legend for her service.

Winners triumphed over nearly 100 nominations across five categories that celebrate the wide-ranging work of councillors. The Cllr Awards are a hugely important way to champion what councillors do locally as their work can, all too often, go unrecognised. Read more about the winners here. 

The Cllr Awards judging panel was made up of senior councillors and leading stakeholders from across the sector. These are the only national awards to celebrate and showcase the work of individual councillors across Scotland and are only made possible thanks to the generous support of founding partners CCLA.

Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive, Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) Scotland said: “In the face of unprecedented domestic and global challenges over the last year, councillors nationwide have once again exhibited unwavering dedication to serving their constituents.

“Tonight’s winners show the remarkable contributions local councillors make to their communities and we at LGIU Scotland are dedicated to celebrating these achievements that genuinely improve the lives of local residents. 

“As councils continue to deliver essential services like social care and housing amid a cost of living crisis, these awards are a hugely important way to champion what councillors do locally. I extend heartfelt congratulations to all the Cllr Awards winners this evening. We applaud you for your dedication.”

Minister for Local Government Empowerment, Joe FitzPatrick MSP said: “As someone who was previously a councillor, I recognise the important role councils play in delivering vital frontline services for our communities.

“Every councillor nominated for these awards exemplifies this spirit of public service and I congratulate them all.

It is crucial the Scottish Government works in partnership with local government to achieve the best possible outcomes for people. This approach, which is built on mutual trust and respect, is particularly important as we work to help people through the current cost crisis.”

Unison members say no once again

More school strikes on the horizon

A statement from Unison Scottish Local Government Branch:

‘The results of our consultative ballot on COSLA’s latest pay offer are now in.

‘Our members have spoken loudly & clearly. We urge all parties to get back round the negotiating table with us to thrash out a deal to avoid further disruption in schools across Scotland.’

Councillor Katie Hagmann, COSLA’s Resources Spokesperson, said: “Obviously this ballot result from UNISON is very disappointing given the strength of the offer on the table.

“I would like to make the following points:

“Firstly, Scotland’s Council Leaders value their workforce.

“Secondly, we have listened to our Trade Unions, met all their asks and worked with Scottish Government to put an incredibly strong half a billion pound pay package on the table – which we hope the other trade union members will vote to accept.

“Finally, offering almost 10 per cent or a £2006 pay increase for our lowest paid workers, which the unions specifically asked for, and £1929 or at least 5.5% for everyone else is as far as Local Government can go without impacting service and jobs.”

Annual Cllr Awards shortlist unveiled

Just ONE Edinburgh Councillor makes the cut

  • 14th annual Cllr Awards shortlist unveiled
  • Local councillors from Cornwall to the Orkney Islands shortlisted for national awards

49 local councillors from across England, Wales and Scotland have been shortlisted for the 2023 LGIU and CCLA Cllr Awards, showcasing the vital contributions of councillors for the 14th year running. 

Competition was extremely tight with more than 300 nominations received across five categories that celebrate the wide-ranging work of councillors. The categories up for grabs this year include Community Champion, Leader of the Year, Young Councillor of the Year, Resilience Champion and Lifetime Legend 

Only one City of Edinburgh councillor has made the shortlist. Leith Labour councillor James Dalgleish (above) is in the running for the Young Councillor of the Year Award.

The winners in England & Wales will be announced at the Guildhall in London at 7pm on 16 November 2023. The winners in Scotland will be announced at the City Chambers in Edinburgh at 7pm on 21 November 2023. 

RSVP here to secure your place. 

The Cllr Awards judging panels are made up of senior councillors and leading stakeholders from across the sector. These are the only national awards to celebrate and showcase the work of individual councillors. This year’s awards are made possible thanks to the generous support of founding partners CCLA.

Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive, LGIU said: “In the face of unprecedented domestic and global challenges over the last year, councillors nationwide have once again exhibited unwavering dedication to serving their constituents.

“The shortlist for the 2023 Cllr Awards represents some of the most devoted elected representatives in England, Wales and Scotland. 

“As councils continue to deliver essential services like social care and housing amid a cost of living crisis, these Awards are a hugely important way to champion what councillors do locally. Their work, all too often, goes unrecognised and we take great pride in featuring their stories in this year’s shortlist.

“Congratulations to all the councillors nominated and shortlisted and I look forward to announcing the winners in November.”

2023 Shortlist – Scotland

Community Champion

Cllr Geva Blackett – Aberdeenshire Council

Cllr Duncan Cumming – East Dunbartonshire Council

Cllr Ruairi Kelly – Glasgow City Council

Cllr Alastair Redman – Argyll and Bute Council

Cllr Kirsten Robb – South Lanarkshire Council

Leader of the Year

Cllr John Alexander – Dundee City Council

Cllr Stephen McCabe – Inverclyde Council

Cllr Cecil Meiklejohn – Falkirk Council

Cllr James Stockan – Orkney Islands Council

Lifetime Legend

Cllr Jim Logue – North Lanarkshire Council

Cllr Ross Vettraino – Fife Council

Cllr Martha Wardrop – Glasgow City Council

Cllr David Watson – South Lanarkshire Council

Cllr Helen Wright – Dundee City Council

Resilience Champion

Cllr Chris Lunday – East Renfrewshire Council

Cllr Nairn McDonald – North Ayrshire Council

Cllr Angus Millar – Glasgow City Council

Cllr Samuel Payne – Aberdeenshire Council

Cllr Heather Woodbridge – Orkney Islands Council

Young Councillor of the Year

Cllr James Dalgleish – Edinburgh Council

Cllr Scott Hamilton – Scottish Borders Council

Cllr Dan Hutchison – Glasgow City Council

Cllr Kristopher Leask – Orkney Islands Council

Cllr Lana Reid-McConnell – Glasgow City Council

RoSPA’s 10 year review into water safety policies released

New research from RoSPA shows that Scotland’s water safety collaboration is at a high, but more local councils need to develop water safety policies

Water safety collaboration in Scotland reaches record high, but more policy commitment from Local Government is needed. That’s the message from The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), following the release of its 10-year review of water safety policy in the country.

Supported by Water Safety Scotland, RoSPA’s research set out to understand the current picture of Scotland’s water safety at local government level to develop policies and programmes that better tackle drowning.

Encouragingly, RoSPA saw responses from all 32 Scottish local authorities, with91 per cent of local authorities ranking water safety as an important issue in relation to other service demands, and 68 per cent having a named person or department responsible for water safety.

Compared to 2013 when only 44 per cent of respondents had a named water safety lead, this shows an overall improved awareness of water safety, and an increasing commitment to its improvement in the region.

Crucially though, only 25 per cent of Scotland’s local authorities have a water safety policy in place.

According to data from the Water Incident Database (WAID), the number of drownings in Scotland is disproportionate to the rest of the UK. Scotland’s rate of accidental drowning is 0.82 per 100,000, which is triple the rate of England and nearly double that of Northern Ireland.

WAID data shows there were 45 accidental drowning fatalities in Scotland and a further 37 water related suicides in 2022. Although there have been small decreases in accidental fatalities, it is clear that drowning fatalities and water-related harm remains a serious issue in Scotland.

Carlene McAvoy, Leisure Safety Manager at RoSPA, said: “This 10-year comparative research shows an improved picture of water safety in Scotland, demonstrating that the issue is further up the radar of local councils.

“Furthermore, most local authorities were aware of Scotland’s Drowning Prevention Strategy, and in many cases, work closely with Water Safety Scotland.

“However, it is also clear that there is a clear need for policy-level commitments to water safety – and we believe all local authorities should aim to have a  water safety policy no later than 2026, in line with Scotland’s Drowning Prevention Policy.

“We encourage all of Scotland’s local authorities to take water safety seriously by creating thorough water safety policies that help protect people in our communities.”

Improved offer to schools workforce

COSLA tables increased offer with school strikes looming

Local government umbrella body COSLA has tabled an improved offer to unions in an attempt to avert school strikes.

Commenting on a revised offer which was sent to the Trade Unions yesterday (Wednesday) COSLA’s Resources Spokesperson Councillor Katie Hagmann said:  “The reality of the situation is that as employers, Council Leaders have now made a strong offer even stronger.

“Council Leaders have listened to the workforce and then acted on what they heard by adding additional Council funds to get us to the position today where a revised offer can be made.

“We have also secured additional baseline funding from Scottish Government of £94 million, which will be built into the Scottish Government’s funding for Councils from next year, that ensures the viability and sustainability of this offer.

“This is an extremely strong offer which not only compares well to other sectors, but recognises the cost-of-living pressures on our workforce and which would mean the lowest paid would see a 21% increase in their pay over a two-year period.

“Councils value their workforce and this offer will support those workers during a cost of living crisis, whilst also protecting vital jobs and services. We hope that our Trade Union colleagues will give their membership the chance to consider this strong offer.”

Commenting on Cosla’s revised pay offer which was sent to unions last night, UNISON Scotland’s head of local government, Johanna Baxter said: ““UNISON Scotland’s local government committee will hold an emergency meeting first thing tomorrow (today, Thursday) and will go through the detail of Cosla’s revised offer and consider our position. UNISON will do everything we can to find a solution – we do not want to see mass school closures.

“However, we need to be convinced that this is a substantially improved offer. UNISON members in schools have voted in unprecedented numbers to take action and we have a mandate to call over 21,000 school staff out on strike over this – our members have clearly had enough. COSLA and the Scottish government need to make sure these workers are properly rewarded for their commitment and hard work.”

More than three quarters of Scotland’s schools face closure later this month in a dispute over pay, as UNISON announces strike dates. If it goes ahead the action will affect primary and secondary schools in 24 local authorities, with 76% of Scotland’s schools affected (1,868 schools).

UNISON, Scotland’s largest local government union, says more than 21,000 members will take part in the action over three days from Tuesday, 26 to Thursday, 28 September.

UNISON Scotland’s head of local government, Johanna Baxter said last week: “Going on strike is always a last resort – our members want to be in schools supporting children not on picket lines outside them.

“But they have been left with no option.  Local government workers overwhelmingly rejected COSLA’s below-inflation pay offer back in March and despite our repeated representations no improvement has been forthcoming.

“A real-terms pay cut in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis is a cut our members simply cannot afford.  This is not a highly-paid workforce – three quarters of local government workers earn less than the average Scottish wage.

“All they want is to be paid fairly for the vital work they do supporting Scotland’s communities – COSLA and the Scottish Government need to get back round the table and work with us to deliver that.”

Chair of UNISON Scotland’s local government committee, Mark Ferguson said last week: “Our members are steadfast in their resolve to fight for fair pay.  COSLA’s offer falls short of UNISON’s pay claim, it is also less than the offer made to the lowest paid local government staff south of the border.  

“No-one wants to see schools close but COSLA need to come back with a significantly improved pay offer very soon if strike action is to be avoided.  We remain committed to engaging in negotiations with COSLA and the Scottish Government at any point to try to resolve this dispute.”

COSLA has now came back with that new offer – but will this ‘even stronger’ offer be enough to avert looming industrial action?

BREAKING NEWS:

2pm: UNISON HAS REJECTED LATEST PAY OFFER – STRIKES GO AHEAD

COSLA Excellence Awards: Finalists Announced

Fifteen projects from eleven Councils across Scotland have been announced today as finalists for the 2023 Excellence Awards, which are COSLA’s annual celebration of Scottish Local Government success – celebrating the very best of Scottish Local Government.

No City of Edinburgh Council projects have made the final shortlist.

Scotland’s 32 Councils were invited over the summer to submit entries to a judging panel comprising a number of experts across local and national government as well as the private sector.

After much deliberation our judging teams determined their finalists from dozens of applications of an incredibly high quality. The judges’ shortlist features a series of projects and programmes which highlighted areas of best practice and innovative service delivery over five categories: Service Innovation and Improvement, Achieving Better Outcomes for the Most Vulnerable in Partnership, Tackling Inequalities and Improving Health and Wellbeing, Strengthening Communities and Local Democracy and Just Transition to a Net Zero Economy.

More than 200 applications were received, and the judges had the unenviable task of choosing just three category finalists in each category.

A further series of judging days will take place in late August, during which a team of judges led by COSLA President Shona Morrison, and Vice-President Steven Heddle, will decide on a winner in each category as well as the winners of four special awards – COSLA Chairperson’s Award, SOLACE Best Team Award, The Scottish Government – Delivering Excellence Award, and the Excellent People, Excellent Outcomes Award.

Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at COSLA’s Annual Conference and Exhibition, which will take place on Thursday 28th September, 2023.

Councillor Shona Morrison, COSLA President and Chairperson of the Excellence Awards, said: “I’m delighted that we are able to announce this year’s COSLA Excellence Awards finalists.

“It hasn’t been an easy task for our judges to narrow the applications down to just fifteen finalists across our categories, especially given the exceptional high quality of projects and programmes that have been entered by councils across Scotland this year.

“It has been wonderful hearing so many positive and inspiring stories from council teams working hard to deliver valued services in communities right across the country.

“The challenges councils are facing cannot be underestimated. What really shone through from the entries this year was innovation and creativity at a local level to overcome challenges – and the sheer determination from Scotland’s councils to simply make people’s lives better at a very challenging time for all.

“So, huge congratulations to this year’s finalists – it has been a pleasure to hear first-hand about the amazing work going on across our councils. I look forward to our winners being announced at the in-person awards ceremony in September”.

This year’s finalists are:

Category 1: Service innovation and improvement (Sponsored by Food Standards Scotland)

  • Delivering School Meals by Drones – Argyll and Bute Council
  • Stirling Council Healthier Homes Project – Stirling Council
  • 24/7 CCTV/Digital Alarms Hub – Falkirk Council

Category 2: Achieving better outcomes for the most vulnerable in partnership

  • Lighthouse – Perth and Kinross Council
  • Building Skills Together Refugee Integration Project – Dundee City Council
  • Up streaming Prevention of Youth Homelessness – West Lothian Council

Category 3: Tackling inequalities and improving health and wellbeing (Sponsored by Public Health Scotland)

  • Implementing regulate, relate, reason in education – Fife Council
  • Libraries for wellbeing – Falkirk Council
  • Alcohol and substance awareness education resource – Renfrewshire Council

Category 4: Strengthening communities and local democracy

  • Zetland Park Project – Falkirk Council
  • Historic Links to Slavery – Inverclyde Council
  • Joint Bonfire Protocol and Multi-Agency Control Centre – Glasgow City Council, Neighbourhoods, Regeneration and Sustainability

Category 5: Just transition to a net zero economy

  • Orkney’s Community Wind Farm Project – Orkney Islands Council
  • Blackburn as a Climate Action Town – West Lothian Council
  • Sustainable Grass Management Pilot Project – Falkirk Council

Places can be booked for the Awards Ceremony at COSLA’s Conference and Exhibition here.