COSLA is fit for purpose in the face of impending change, was the strident message from its chief executive this week. Opening the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities' annual conference, Rory Mair claimed: ‘Everyone is telling us that the local government world will change after May – there is no doubt that it will. ‘What is also certain is that Scottish Local Government now has an organisation that can successfully manage this change and overcome any challenges.' With an eye firmly on the future and possible political changes among both councils and Holyrood, Mr Mair was keen to set out how COSLA had already modernised and adapted. He said: ‘I think we have changed and I believe that the changes we have made ensure we are more capable of delivering what our membership wants.' He outlined how the umbrella group for 31 of Scotland's 32 councils had begun to find its feet recently becoming more proactive in both partnership approaches and forwarding its own agenda. Plans are now afoot to take a stronger stance in Europe to lobby for more funding. And following a survey of council leaders and chief executives in Scotland by McGarvie Morrison Media, COSLA has identified areas ripe for debate including needs of urban and rural communities, partnership working particularly with the Executive and professional organisations and how COSLA will operate after 2007. But sending a final warning shot across the bows, Mr Mair said: ‘Deciding how we respond immediately after the elections, how we engage with new administrations and what we offer as a membership organisation to the new councils will determine our continued relevance and success.'
