COSLA, Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) have agreed four key priority areas to strengthen collaboration between Local Government and policing in the years ahead.
A Strategic Partnership Agreement sets out a commitment to strengthening existing collaboration on a range of agreed strategic priorities, as well as promote and support partnership working. The four priority areas which the organisations will focus on over the current term (2022-2027) are:
- local scrutiny and accountability
- prevention and early intervention
- health and wellbeing
- resource and investment
A Partnership Delivery Plan will be developed to drive forward progress on these priorities.
Councillor Shona Morrison, COSLA President, said:
“Local Government and policing share the pivotal functions of serving, protecting and enhancing our local communities. The Partnership Agreement I co-signed with Councillor Maureen Chalmers, COSLA Community Wellbeing Spokesperson, on behalf of all Local Authority Leaders represents a significant milestone in COSLA’s commitment to partnership working with Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority. As we recover from the pandemic and navigate the current cost of living crisis, it is more important than ever for Local Government to maximise collaboration with our partners at both national and local level. This Partnership Agreement is an excellent example of this. I very much look forward to working with Police Scotland and the SPA to deliver on the shared commitments we have set out in the document.”
Martyn Evans, Chair of the Scottish Police Authority said:
“The Authority is committed to working collaboratively with Police Scotland and COSLA on our collective purpose of serving, protecting and enhancing local communities. This important Agreement describes our shared commitments to local scrutiny and accountability; prevention and early intervention; health and wellbeing; and resource and investment. We look forward to this new phase of collaboration in the years ahead.”
Sir Iain Livingstone, Chief Constable of Police Scotland added:
Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone QPM said: “Local authorities are essential partners with policing in Scotland. Officers and staff work with colleagues to provide effective services tailored for the needs of local communities across the country every day.
“As Chief Constable, I am also hugely grateful for the important scrutiny of policing by local authorities and elected representatives.
“Policing greatly values our strong relationships with COSLA and its members, illustrated by our increasing commitment to locating with Local Authorities and other agencies. Such closer working can provide better service and value for the public we serve.”
Signatories on the Partnership Agreement were (COSLA President) Councillor Shona Morrison, (COSLA Community Wellbeing Spokesperson) Councillor Maureen Chalmers, (the Chief Constable) Sir Iain Livingstone and (the Chair of the Scottish Police Authority) Mr Martyn Evans.
