Title

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

Warning for councils after wall collapse

Local authorities have been warned they must not ‘contract out’ the safety of new public buildings in a new report from the Scottish Parliament.

Local authorities have been warned they must not ‘contract out' the safety of new public buildings in a new report from the Scottish Parliament.

An inquiry was launched after 17 schools were forced to close in Edinburgh following the collapse of a wall.

The report, published by the Scottish Parliament's Education and Skills Committee, concluded lessons must be learnt for the entire public sector to ensure new buildings are safe.

It found some local authorities had minimised their responsibilities for the safe design and construction of schools.

Committee convener, James Dornan, said: ‘There needs to be a change in thinking in some local authorities.

‘Responsibility for public safety must be taken seriously and it not something that can be contracted out.'

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

Prevention and innovation: Securing adult social care's future

By Cllr Dr Wendy Taylor MBE | 11 November 2025

Chair of the LGA’s Health and Wellbeing Committee Cllr Dr Wendy Taylor MBE says the message from the latest adult social care data is both a warning and an o...

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

Nine local councils will support local authorities to improve outcomes for children

By Nimal Jude | 11 November 2025

Nimal Jude introduces a new national programme to strengthen evidence-informed decision-making across children's services.

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

LGR: Scrutinising Surrey and beyond

By Rebecca Gilbert | 07 November 2025

Tiffany Cloynes and Rebecca Gilbert offer an update on local government reorganisation in Surrey and for the devolution priority programme, along with an ass...

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

Putting the sector in the Budget driving seat: The Budget councils deserve

By Simon Christian | 06 November 2025

Simon Christian says that while a Budget that reflects councils’ responsibilities and the urgency of the challenges ahead is vitally needed, this must be mat...

Popular articles by Laura Sharman