ALT COSLA President Cllr Shona Morrison image and quote; “Public service reform will only succeed if it is rooted in communities, not organisational charts. Local Government will engage with Scottish Government, but we will not support reforms that dilute local democracy, centralise decision-making or remove accountability from the people we serve. Decisions around public service reform must be made in agreement between Local Government and the Scottish Government and have the endorsement of councils on any issue affecting them.”

ALT Speaker announcement: Professor Sir John Curtice speaking at the COSLA Conference podium with purple lighting background.

ALT COSLA quote graphic with photo of Cllr Shona Morrison and quote: “The Scottish Government’s proposals leave more questions than answers. It is vital that reforms are based on sound evidence and that meaningful engagement takes place. For that reason, COSLA will participate fully in this period of dialogue to shape the future of local democracy in Scotland.”

ALT “Where COSLA stands at the moment is very much that this has to be about improving outcomes; has to be about improving public services and not simply a route to reduce the local government settlement.”

ALT Councillor Parry is pictured sitting with Scottish Government Joint Chair, Orlando Mason and Teachers’ Side Joint Chair, Des Morris and a number of other professionals.

ALT Seven professionals pose in a conference room with a COSLA banner behind them against a wooden wall.

ALT COSLA graphic with photo of Cllr Paul Kelly and quote: Local Government is committed to doing all we can, working alongside Scottish Government and wider partners, to providing essential wrap-around support to people affected by drugs and in building healthy, resilient communities. This includes working on a whole system basis to take forward our national Strategic Plan for Alcohol and Drugs.

ALT COSLA blog post on a laptop screen about councils' role in preventing drug and alcohol harm, authored by Cllr Paul Kelly.

ALT Graphic with photo of Cllr Chalmers with quote: "Today’s published homelessness figures are disappointing and underline the scale of the housing challenges facing local communities across the country. While there are some slight improvements in some measures, too many individuals and families continue to experience homelessness. Councils are working tirelessly to prevent homelessness and support those in need, but housing demand continues to outstrip supply in many areas.”

ALT Debate not hate survey results 2026 with photo of Cllr Morrison and quote: “The results of the survey evidence what many elected members know to be true - that abuse and harassment is far too common an experience for councillors. Councillors and Councils are a vital part of democracy, and it is unacceptable that 81 per cent of Scottish councillors have felt some level of risk whilst carrying out their role.”

ALT COSLA graphic with photo of COSLA President and quote: “Today’s statement gives some clarity to the Scottish Government’s intentions around the future of local government and public service reform. COSLA has been clear that public service reform will only succeed if it is rooted in communities and that any changes to our governance landscape must enhance local democracy and bring decisions closer to communities.”

ALT COSLA bulletin highlighting public service reform, 2026 conference, child poverty webinar, and suicide prevention week reflections.

ALT Invitation to COSLA Conference 2026 focusing on local leadership and challenges in Scotland with opportunity to hear leaders, build connections, share innovation, and shape government.

ALT COSLA Blog: Suicide Prevention is everyone's business: and we must all act, with photo of Councillor Paul Kelly and quote: “Phil’s call for us as politicians to move beyond awareness and into action is something I will carry with me. I am determined to ensure that anyone who is having suicidal thoughts or is bereaved by suicide can access the support they need, when they need it.”

ALT Scottish Housing Day 2026 with image of Cllr Chalmers and quote: As local communities across Scotland continue to face the pressures of the cost of living crisis, access to good quality, affordable housing has never been more important. Investing in social and affordable housing is therefore not only an investment in homes, but in prevention, resilience and improved mental and physical health outcomes that can support public service reform.

ALT COSLA graphic with cosla logo, international day of democracy header and text: COSLA's Barriers to Elected Office Special Interest Group has today acknowledged International Day of Democracy. On this day of global observance that promotes and upholds the principles of democracy, it is vital that local government is at the forefront of promoting the ability for all people to shape society and their communities.

ALT Text: The Barriers to Elected Office Special Interest Group is committed to reducing barriers - be that societal, financial or cultural - to being a councillor and ensuring that elected office is accessible to anyone.

ALT Text: Democracy is stronger when government reflects the diversity of the population, giving a wider range of voices a role in shaping policy and decisions. International Day of Democracy provides all of us with an opportunity to reflect on the work that we are doing to advance this goal.

ALT Graphic with heading: South Ayrshire Council's New Arrivals Education Hub and quote: "South Ayrshire Council has developed the New Arrivals Education Hub to provide a holistic, multi-agency programme of education, health, wellbeing, employability and progression opportunities for Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC)."