COSLA

ALT COSLA President Cllr Shona Morrison and Vice President Cllr Steven Heddle against a white background. The title reads "Public Service Reform Must Start with Outcomes, Not Structures." The text explains that Council Leaders today called for the Scottish Government to work with councils on future reforms to local services and COSLA agreed a vision for public service reform.

ALT A teacher presenting to students in a classroom. The title reads "Public service reform must consider workforce impacts and meaningfully engage staff. How the workforce could be impacted by the Scottish Government’s proposals to reorganise councils and why trade unions, staff, and employers must be meaningfully involved." A white COSLA logo in the top right corner.

ALT A gritter clearing a snowy road. The title reads "Local Government Workforce: Key Facts". Four paragraphs highlight key facts about the number of people employed by councils, the services council staff deliver, how terms and conditions work for council employees and the pressures facing councils in recent years. Four images accompany the text showing a handshake, hands holding a house, a document and a graph.

ALT A group of people working outside. The title reads "Public Service Reform: Considering the workforce impacts". Four purple arrows with text highlighting the complexity of reorganising councils, the questions that remain unanswered in Scottish Government proposals, the need for workforce, Trade Unions and employers to play a central role in shaping reform, and the need for any changes to be underpinned by Fair Work principles and limit uncertainty for workers.

ALT A purple background with the title "What next? COSLA and our trade union partners are calling for." Three images showing people conversing, a document and a clock, and a hand holding money, accompany key points about meaningful engagement with the workforce, a realistic approach to timescales and understanding of reform, and investment to support long-term sustainability of services. Councillor Kelly Parry's joint statement with UNISON, UNITE and GMB is linked: www.cosla.gov.uk/news.

ALT A dark purple background with the title "COSLA Elected Member Bulletin". Followed by four light purple bubbles highlighting four key points from the bulletin: Emerging Public Service Reform Proposals, COSLA Conference 2026, Elected Member Webinar: Budget Lobbying and Local Government Workforce" followed by the text "and lots more!"

ALT Image of Cllr Kelly Parry with white COSLA logo and text COSLA and Local Government trade unions, UNISON, UNITE and the GMB issue a statement on Public Service Reform.

ALT Purple slide with white cosla logo and quote from Councillor Kelly Parry: “Public service reform must be evidence-based and underpinned by meaningful engagement with the Local Government workforce, realism about timescales and the complexities of reform, and the investment required to support the long-term sustainability of services.  Our joint message as Local Government employers and trade unions is clear and we stand ready to engage constructively with the Scottish Government as equal partners. "

ALT Photo of Councillor Kelly Parry wearing a grey suit in a Scottish Parliament committee room with the title "COSLA responds to the UK Government’s Budget Announcement. Councillor Kelly Parry, COSLA Resources Spokesperson."

ALT A light purple background with the title "COSLA Conference 2026. Masterclass: Fair Work and Local Government. 19 November." With photos of: Dawn Roberts, Chief Executive, Dumfries & Galloway Council; Professor Patricia Findlay, University of Strathclyde; and Peter Hunter, UNISON." The COSLA logo is in the top right corner in purple.

ALT Detailed floor plan of an exhibition hall showing numbered exhibitor booths, coffee stations, and key locations with a list of exhibitors on the right.

ALT A purple background with a photo of Councillor Steven Heddle and the text "The European Charter of Local Self Government gives us a clear test for Public Service Reform: does it put communities first? Scottish Ministers now have a legal duty to act compatibly with the Charter, and, while the First Minister has made clear that COSLA will be a key partner throughout the reform process, underpinned by the Act, that must be reflected in how change is designed and delivered."

ALT A purple image showing books with the text "Scottish Government proposes changes for education. How education in Scotland could be impacted by the Local Government Reform proposals in the Programme for Government."

ALT A purple background showing people at desks with the text "Services delivered by councils across Scotland play an essential role in helping children and young people thrive and realise their full potential. From education, early learning and childcare. To safe and affordable housing. From sports and leisure spaces. To health, social work and social care." Four images show a book with a lightbulb, houses, sports equipment and hands holding people.

ALT A purple background with a map of Scotland and the title "What is changing?" Three text boxes note that Scottish Government plans to create 6-10 regional councils, with 120-160 community authorities and Single Authority Models for island communities. This would have significant impacts for integrated council services, including education. COSLA is clear that structural reorganisation should not be the starting point and education reform must be led by evidence, outcomes and local democracy.

ALT A purple background and image of Councillor Tony Buchanan in a blue suit and the text "COSLA Children and Young People Spokesperson, Councillor Tony Buchanan, said that: “Councils are uniquely placed to connect education with the wider services that help children and young people thrive. We support reform that strengthens teaching, the curriculum, prevention, workforce planning, regional capacity and accountability, while keeping decisions as close as possible to the communities they affect.”

ALT A photo of Councillor Tony Buchanan in a blue suit with a green tie. With the text "Education reform must be led by evidence, outcomes and local democracy. Councillor Tony Buchanan, COSLA Children and Young People Spokesperson."

ALT A dark purple background with the text, "Scotland should be ambitious for every child and young person. Reform must close the gap between a good education system and a great one, while recognising that learning is inseparable from family support, tackling poverty, health, housing and the strength of local communities. Councillor Tony Buchanan, COSLA Children and Young People Spokesperson."

ALT A light purple background with an image of COSLA and the Scottish Government's "Hate Crime Toolkit" cover and contents page.

ALT A purple background showing people in the street, with the text "Putting communities at the heart of public service reform. How the European Charter of Local Self-Government can shape the future of Scotland’s public services."

ALT A purple background showing a street with the text "What is the Charter?" and three bullet points explaining that the Charter is an international agreement that protects local democracy, with a simple core idea: that decisions should be made as close to the people affected as possible. Scotland has now incorporated the Charter into law. This text is accompanied by three icons showing a document, people and a gavel.

ALT A purple background with a map of Scotland. The title reads "In practice, the Charter means that" followed by the text: "Decisions are taken close to communities. Councils are accountable to the people who elect them. Local Government is consulted on decisions that affect it. Councils have the powers and funding to deliver for their communities." This text is accompanied by four icons representing community, people, decision-making and funding.

ALT A purple background with people working at desks. The title reads "What does it mean for public service reform?" followed by the text "The Scottish Government has set out plans to reform Scotland’s public services. The First Minister has committed to honouring the Charter as part of that reform. COSLA believes reform should start with what people and communities need, not with structures or boundaries."

ALT A purple background with the text "COSLA Conference 2026. Masterclass: Fostering Cohesive Communities. 19 November." With portraits of Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton from Police Scotland in a police uniform, and Dr Sabir Zazai, Chief Executive of Scottish Refugee Council in a blue suit.