Unions and councils stress ‘need for realism’ on timetable for ‘radical reform’

Holyrood ministers have been told there is a “need for realism” over the time needed for radical plans to reshape Scotland’s public services – with council leaders and union chiefs both insisting changes could take “many years” while also requiring “significant resource”.

With the Scottish Government currently undertaking a three-month consultation over plans to reshape councils, local government body Cosla and the three unions representing council staff issued a joint statement.

Stressing that local government workers “play a vital role in serving Scotland’s communities, tirelessly delivering essential local services in an often challenging environment”, the statement said that “key questions” with regards to the future of jobs and possible impacts on workers’ terms and conditions “remain unanswered”.

Cosla and the trade unions Unison, Unite and the GMB issued the statement as ministers consider changes to Scotland’s councils – which could see the current 32 local authorities replaced with between six and 10 larger, strategic bodies and as many as 160 smaller, more local ones.

The statement from Cosla and the trade unions, however, told ministers that there is “a need for realism about timescales”.

They said: “Radical reform of local structures, services and workforces is incredibly complex, and would require detailed planning and many years of sustained work alongside significant resource.

“Change cannot be imposed from the top down, but must be informed by the voices of those who truly understand the realities of delivering local services.”

Cosla resources spokeswoman councillor Kelly Parry stressed that “public service reform must be evidence-based and underpinned by meaningful engagement with the local government workforce”.

Ms Parry added that there is a need for “realism about timescales and the complexities of reform” as well as “the investment required to support the long-term sustainability of services”.

She vowed that Cosla and the trade unions were “ready to engage constructively with the Scottish Government as equal partners” in the reform process.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Public service reform will help to ensure investment is focused on frontline delivery to empower communities and deliver real improvements in public services.

“Some decision-making is best delivered at national level and regional level while others better sit closer to communities and we must get that balance right.

“Our proposals provide a starting point to facilitate debate during three months of dialogue with partners, including councils and trade unions, to inform the next steps.

“No decisions have been taken on future structures. Once formal reform proposals are developed, appropriate consultation will follow in the usual manner.”