With thanks to all attendees at our COSLA Spring Conference from the local government family and beyond, we are pleased to share a summary of the updates from our Spokespeople and Presidential Team.
COSLA Presidential Team Overview – Delivering for Our Members
Over the past year, COSLA’s President Councillor Shona Morrison and Vice President Councillor Steven Heddle have worked tirelessly on behalf of our member councils, ensuring their voices are heard, their priorities are advanced, and local democracy is strengthened at every level.
Driving Real Change Nationally
Through sustained and determined engagement with parliamentarians, ministers, and key partners, we successfully secured the reconsideration and ultimate passing at the Scottish Parliament of critical legislation on the European Charter for Local Self-Government in March 2026, which now awaits Royal Assent. This reflects our unwavering commitment to delivering tangible outcomes for local government.
Putting Local Government at the Heart of National Priorities
We launched COSLA’s first-ever Manifesto ahead of the Scottish elections - setting a clear, ambitious agenda shaped by and for our members. This work ensures that any future Scottish Government recognises and prioritises the vital role of local democracy.
Delivering on Our Commitments
We have remained focused on turning commitments into action - driving forward the priorities set out in the Verity House Agreement and COSLA Plan. Every step has been taken with our members’ needs at the forefront.
Strengthening the Voice of Local Government
We have significantly increased our engagement with the Scottish Parliament, building stronger relationships with MSPs, committees, and ministers. This has ensured that the perspectives and priorities of our member councils are influencing national decision-making more than ever before.
Transforming Local Governance
We are making meaningful progress on the Local Governance Review, with innovative approaches such as Single Authority Models offering real potential to improve services for communities. Through our Democracy Matters work, we are also empowering communities and strengthening participation - supporting our members to deliver more responsive, locally driven services.
Standing Up for Elected Members
We know the challenges our members face. That’s why we have taken decisive action to tackle barriers to elected office and improve councillor safety. From developing targeted training and support networks to leading cross-sector work on the Civility Charter, we are actively working to protect and support those who serve their communities.
Championing Inclusive and Resilient Local Democracy
We have supported greater diversity in local government, including focused support for women in leadership, and worked in partnership with Police Scotland to raise awareness and improve safety through initiatives such as Operation Ford.
COSLA: Delivering for Local Government (Spokespeople update)
Over the past year, COSLA’s political leadership has worked across all portfolios to ensure councils’ voices are heard at the highest levels of national decision-making -securing resources, shaping reform and supporting councils through significant financial and service pressures.
Across children and young people’s services, led by spokesperson Councillor Tony Buchanan, COSLA has championed councils’ role in delivering The Promise, shaped major reforms in care, justice and education, and ensured local government insight influenced national policy implementation. At the same time, councils have been supported to improve outcomes locally through initiatives such as suicide-prevention resources and rollout of the Scottish Child Interview Model across all authorities.
In communities and housing, spokesperson Councillor Maureen Chalmers has supported COSLA to provide strong leadership during the housing emergency, influence the development of the new National Housing Agency and publish a national White Paper setting out councils’ priorities. Work has also supported community cohesion and promoted inclusive, safe and welcoming places, alongside shaping the future direction of culture, sport and leisure services.
COSLA has ensured local government remains central to health and social care reform, with our spokesperson, Councillor Paul Kelly, co-leading national oversight structures and strengthening partnership working with the Scottish Government. Significant progress has also been made in securing investment and recognition of workforce pressures, including advocacy that contributed to reinstating funding to support the Real Living Wage. Joint national action has been strengthened further through development of Scotland’s first shared Local and National Government Alcohol and Drugs Strategic Plan.
Supporting councils through ongoing financial challenge has remained a core priority. This year work was led by our spokesperson Councillor Katie Hagmann and then by interim spokesperson Councillor Ricky Bell. COSLA has led sustained engagement in the Scottish Budget process, championed fair funding for local government, progressed long-term council tax reform through national consultation, and secured two-year workforce pay settlements - providing stability while avoiding national disruption.
In environment and economy, COSLA spokesperson, Councillor Gail Macgregor, has protected councils’ interests in major waste and recycling reforms, helped secure significant investment through extended producer responsibility funding, and shaped the Household Recycling Charter. Councils’ priorities have also been represented strongly in national transport and road safety discussions, while Business Gateway continues to support local economic growth across Scotland. Work to strengthen climate delivery has progressed in partnership with the Scottish Government through a new Climate Delivery Framework and investment in climate intelligence capacity for councils.
Together, this work demonstrates COSLA’s continuing role in influencing national policy, securing resources, strengthening the workforce and ensuring councils remain at the heart of public service reform - delivering practical support and strong representation for members at a time of sustained pressure and change.
14th April 2026
