2011 Conference
Review of the 2011 COSLA and Improvement Service Annual Conference
The 2011 COSLA and Improvement Service Annual Conference took place following the worst financial settlement for Scotland since devolution and just ahead of the Scottish Parliamentary Elections. Appropriately entitled "Rising to the Challenge: Protecting our Communities and Services", the Conference provided the opportunity to debate the future facing Scottish Local Government and the wider public sector and the major challenges of operating effectively for communities and service users amid the worst recession in generations.
Conference recognised that in the run up to the Parliamentary Elections, a range of proposals for structural reform of local services were emerging. The Conference gave local government the chance for a serious stocktake of:
• What is already happening in terms of innovation, and what works?
• Where is change at national level necessary to facilitate local change?
• If structural reform is on the cards, what are the key reforms that will improve outcomes, efficiency and local accountability?
The Conference blended political, managerial and stakeholder perspectives on these questions and heard from all of the Leaders of the main political parties in Scotland on their thoughts for Scottish Local Government and the future shape of public services in Scotland following May’s Elections. The full conference programme can be accessed here.
Some highlights from the conference can be accessed below:
Speech by Rory Mair, Chief Executive