Scotland
Questions raised over Glasgow equal pay claims
A documentary has questioned the tactics of the unions involved in the £548m equal pay claim settled by Glasgow City Council – and their deduction of 6.9% from each individual settlement to cover legal costs.
Route to restoring local democracy in Scotland
The first article in this series set out the context for restoring local democracy in Scotland. Lead author Keith Yates explains what followed and outlines the approach to the 1996 reorganisation.
COSLA conference: Sturgeon promises 'biggest decentralisation of power' in two decades
The results of the Scottish Government’s local governance review will bring the ‘biggest decentralisation of power’ in the 20 years since devolution, first minister Nicola Sturgeon has promised.
COSLA conference: Minister 'totally understands' cuts complaints
Cabinet secretary for communities and local government, Aileen Campbell, has said she ‘totally understands’ complaints of ‘constant cuts’ from councils.
COSLA conference: 'Brexit could undermine good work by councils'
Brexit threatens to undermine the ‘good work’ being done by Scottish councils and the Scottish Government, cabinet secretary for communities and local government, Aileen Campbell has said.
COSLA conference: Ex-PM Brown says Scottish Government must do more on child poverty
Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has launched a scathing attack on the Scottish Government’s efforts to tackle the ‘nationwide epidemic’ of child poverty.
COSLA conference: 'Devolved powers have stopped at Holyrood'
It is a ‘sad paradox’ of devolution that powers handed to Scotland 20 years ago have stopped at Holyrood, the president of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) has said.
Glasgow faces legal battle over homeless services
Shelter Scotland has launched a legal battle against Glasgow City Council over failures in its homelessness service.
Holyrood urged to find extra cash for Glasgow
Scotland’s finance secretary, Derek MacKay, is under renewed pressure to find additional funding for Glasgow City Council amid fears over the sustainability of the authority’s budget.
Council to 'terminate' care company
Scottish Borders councillors will be asked to agree to shut down its care company next week.
Named person scheme dropped
A mandatory named person scheme for every child in Scotland – underpinned by law – will not now happen, deputy first minister John Swinney has announced.
Hopes of devolution framework revival
Sector sources remain hopeful that the long-promised devolution framework could still be revived after a private informal meeting with Government officials about the next steps.
Edinburgh welcomes tourism tax plan
SNP-controlled Edinburgh City Council has welcomed the inclusion of a Transient Visitor Levy Bill in the Scottish Government’s programme for Scotland.
Conservatives in Scottish mayoral call
Scotland’s seven cities should have directly-elected mayors or provosts, the Scottish Conservatives’ finance spokesman has said.
Review for SEND support
The Government has announced a major review into the support offered to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Really Big Country
Whitehall’s knowledge of the country beyond SW1 has long been in question.
Wheatley at 50 – plus ça change?
In 1969, the Wheatley review of Scottish local government said something was seriously wrong with the system. Fifty years on not much has changed and while we don’t need a review re-run it's a good starting point for reform, says Bill Howat.
Casey calls for humanitarian help for homeless
The Home Office should provide a ‘humanitarian safety net’ for people in Scotland who can’t access homelessness support due to their immigration, Dame Louise Casey has said.
Scottish councils face up to £59m planning costs
The Planning Act could cost councils in Scotland up to £59m over the next 10 years in new burdens.
Watchdog tells Perth & Kinross to tackle 'underperforming' services
Perth & Kinross Council has been warned it must tackle underperforming services by a watchdog despite making ‘steady improvements’ elsewhere.