For our communities to live well locally, councils are essential. Councils provide safer communities, housing, roads and transportation, education, social work and social care, environmental health, trading standards, mental health services, advice services, employability, recycling and waste services, libraries, leisure facilities and many more vital services that support and create opportunities for every community in Scotland.
This manifesto sets out what local government needs from Scottish Government to continue to serve local communities and enable us all to live well locally. Our key asks are grouped under six priority areas, divided into ‘enabling priorities’ focusing on key levers at our disposal (finance, workforce and democratic powers) which enable delivery of our ‘outcomes-focused priorities’ (future generations, thriving places and thriving communities).
We need Scottish Government to work together with local government, as equal partners, to deliver lasting change and improve outcomes.
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The vital everyday services councils provide have disproportionately felt the brunt of public sector austerity and people in every community are now feeling the loss of these essential services. For our communities to thrive, councils must be on a sustainable financial footing and must be empowered to make decisions with communities around how resources are used.
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Public services work best when they are accountable, place-based and when decisions are taken with and as close to communities as possible. Scottish Government should work with us to avoid centralisation and ensure no community is left behind by embedding local, participative decision-making. Resources must be devolved to communities to address inequality, improve public health and address challenges presented by demographic change.
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The local government workforce is essential. Council roles can be assisted by technology but most can never be automated: our services are human and depend on a diverse, skilled and committed workforce. A new Scottish Government must recognise and help promote local government as an employer of choice, supporting Councils to ensure our workforce is recognised, rewarded and developed for the future.
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Children’s rights should be embedded in policy making, following incorporation of UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). It is a difficult time to be young with the rising cost of living, a changing employment market, and the impact of online life. Council services – including, but not limited to, schools – are vital to supporting children and young people to thrive.
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Councils support people to thrive at every stage of life, targeting support to tackle inequalities. We drive place-based, joined up, inclusive services for local communities. To achieve this and adapt to evolving challenges, the vital services we provide require further investment & support by the Scottish Government.
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Councils can make places thrive, investing in public spaces, transport systems and local economies. The world is changing, and we must help communities thrive while we transition to a net zero economy. A place-based approach to policymaking is essential.
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For Scotland and its communities to thrive, grow and live well locally, our democracy must be healthy and local government is key. We can only achieve this through a working relationship between Scottish and local government that is mutually respectful and trusting. We are making these asks of the new Scottish Government to ensure Scotland is the thriving, cohesive and welcoming place we all want it to be.
