Cosla

Local authorities across Scotland are calling on politicians from all parties to launch a revolution in local democracy within the first few months after May's Holyrood election. The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) wants to harness the power of a more locally democratic way of doing

Budget reductions mean starker choices ahead for Scotland’s councils which will not be met simply by continuing to cut staff and services, according to a new report. The Accounts Commission's annual overview of local government charts a 5 per cent drop in revenue funding in the next financial year

Harry McGuigan New guidance has been issued to support the development of Housing Options approaches in Scotland’s local authorities.

COSLA president David O’Neill The Scottish Government has failed to deliver any meaningful change with its council tax reform proposals, according to COSLA.

Johanna Boyd All 32 of Scotland’s local authorities have agreed to a funding arrangement from the Scottish Government worth £10.3 billion, though many have warned of the need to cut services and jobs to make the deal work.

Councils have until the end of today to decide whether to accept a funding deal from the Scottish Government. Finance secretary John Swinney held talks with council representatives last month as he asked them to accept the “challenging but fair” Local Government Finance Settlement.

Lesley Laird A vote by Scotland’s local authorities to reject the package of measures put forward for Scottish local government takes relationships to a new low, according to Fife Council.

Margaret Burgess More than 178,000 vulnerable households, including around 59,000 families with children, have received essential help to buy everyday products through the Scottish Welfare Fund.

John Swinney Finance secretary John Swinney held talks with council representatives yesterday as he sought to finalise the Local Government Finance Settlement.

The Commission on Local Tax Reform has published a new report recommending the abolition and replacement of the current council tax system. The cross-party commission, established jointly by the Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), brought together representa

John Swinney Deputy first minister John Swinney has highlighted social housing as an area of concern as Chancellor George Osborne prepares to deliver his Autumn Statement later this week.

(from left) Crawford Beveridge, Petra Biberbach and John Hamilton The members of an independent panel set up to carry out a “game-changing review” of Scotland’s planning system have been announced by social justice secretary Alex Neil.

Scotland's 32 local authorities have agreed to welcome refugees as part of the nation’s efforts to tackle to the humanitarian crisis in Syria. Representatives from the vast majority of the councils attended a summit held by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) in Edinburgh yesterda

The Scottish Government’s draft budget for 2016-17 will not be published until after the UK government’s spending review in late November, it has emerged. The draft budget – which is usually published in September – has been pushed back due to uncertainty over the block grant for Scotland, w

Margaret Burgess More than 150,000 vulnerable households, including around 50,000 families with children, have received essential help to buy everyday products like nappies, food and cookers through the Scottish Welfare Fund.