LOCAL GOVERNANCE REFORM
In March 2026, the Scot Gov / COSLA 'Route Map to Reform' pointed to reform proposals for expanded community decision-making powers. In September, the unexpected Scot Gov 'Proposal for Structural Reform' policy paper pointed to a fundamental reorganisation of local government:
"'Community authorities' are to bring a focus on local decision-making."
The 'dialogue' is underway, and envisioned, it seems, to complete within a three-month engagement period by year-end.
COSLA has urged 'caution', feels a pressure from 'top down' and calls for 'strong evidence to underpin any significant changes'.
The compressed 'engagement', the lack of detail and the lack of explicit mention of the future of 'community councils' has angered many community councillors. 'There are more questions than answers.' A Scottish Forum of Community Councils (SFCC) online event (c. 55 attendees) on 9 November (material will be made available) underscored community councillor discontent. Two earlier Scot Gov online information sessions on 4 & 5 November (c. 260 attendees) did more to raise hackles than smooth feathers.
The Scot Gov pointers to deeper community decision-making don't point to the grass-roots community platforms which will inform the new governing 'community authorities'. (Parallel ideas for Health Board reform also complicate the backdrop.) Many community councils (across a disparate spectrum; island, rural, urban) seem to feel the rug is about to be pulled from under them. Pushing back, some would wish to acquire a clear 'general power of competence' to strengthen their future hand.
At the moment, the 'dialogue' and the 'consultation' continue in rather vague terms. Nevertheless, if your community council has something firm to say, the advice from the SFCC is to place that on record with Ivan McKee MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Public Sector Reform, Scottish Government.
(KR)
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