COSLA welcomes the decision made at the Scottish Parliament today (3rd March) to pass into law the European Charter for the Right to Local Self Government. This is a significant step forward for Scottish democracy, the relationship between our spheres of government and our collective ability to deliver improved outcomes for our communities.
The COSLA President, Cllr Shona Morrison, said:
"I would like to put on record not only my thanks to our parliamentary colleagues for passing this important bill, but also our thanks to Mark Ruskell MSP and Shona Robison, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, for the significant amount of work they have put in.
"I must also acknowledge Andy Wightman for first introducing the Bill which not only brings us into line with many of our European counterparts, but embeds the vital role that local government plays in our day to day lives.
"COSLA is committed to ensuring that we strengthen local democracy and that decisions are taken with and closest to those they affect most."
3rd March 2026
