Cosla has revealed its plans for helping Scotland to rebuild post-coronavirus
Communities are set to be placed at the centre of local government.
The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) has today (Monday 7 September) launched a new Blueprint for Scottish Local Government.
The plan will allow authorities to build around an ambitious vision for Scotland’s future - one based on the empowerment of people and communities.
The strategy has been framed around six themes: strengthening local democracy; funding services and communities; wellbeing – including health and social care; education and children and young people; economy and the environment; and supporting vulnerable communities.
Councillor Graham Houston, Cosla’s vice-president, said: “The blueprint we are launching today provides a narrative around the kind of country we want, and about the changes that could make a real difference to communities across the country.
“Covid-19 has changed the way we live. But pre-Covid, through Covid and after Covid local government is the anchor for communities in need. For children, young people and families; for local businesses; and for services that benefit our physical and emotional well-being and the environment. We work with communities and local organisations every day to bring about change and to make the voices of people heard and matter.”
He continued: “Whether delivering food or medicine, providing shelter for the homeless, supporting volunteers or keeping many essential services running, local government has been the face of the response for many.
“The local government workforce, which is the largest in Scotland, has fundamentally changed the way it works to reduce the disruption caused to everyday life.
“Scottish local government must be further empowered to bring about the change we now need.
“The financial impacts of Covid-19 have been severe and have placed extreme pressure on already strained council budgets and on our workforce. Without proper resourcing we will see reductions in spending and inevitable cuts to services, furthering the inequalities highlighted by the pandemic and putting at risk the very recovery we seek.”
