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Joint statement with Local Government
13/01/2010
A joint statement has been issued by First Minister Alex Salmond and Councillor Pat Watters CBE, President of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), following a meeting in Edinburgh this morning.
The Scottish Government Cabinet and the COSLA Presidential Team and Political Group Leaders attended the meeting at St Andrew's House.
The Concordat is now more than two years old and today's statement outlines a continuing commitment to partnership working between national and local government.
The statement reads:
"Following the latest meeting today between COSLA Leaders and the Scottish Cabinet, this statement reaffirms our joint commitment to the new relationship between the Scottish Government and COSLA.
"This partnership has already delivered improvements and achievements to the governance of Scotland, to the outcomes which can be achieved and to public services. Today's meeting between the leadership of Scottish Government and Scottish local Government discussed how we will build on that firm foundation in moving forward to tackle the challenges facing Scotland as a result of the current recession.
"Key to the success of this approach has been closer working between national and local government, along with the rest of the public sector in Scotland, to create a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth.
"All parts of the public sector are now aligned behind agreed national and local priorities which are given real impetus and focus through the Single Outcome Agreements. The common commitment is now to better policy making, better delivery and joint discussion and resolution of problems, as they arise. That is contributing to less bureaucracy, better services, more opportunities and greater prosperity for the people of Scotland.
"Joint working now regularly takes place on policy issues impacting across the full breadth of local government services. Examples of policies which are better because they result from a joint approach are the early years framework produced in 2008, changes to the planning system, alcohol abuse, health inequalities, anti-poverty and waste. However, the new relationship is not an end in itself. It must deliver for the people of Scotland.
"We are determined that Scotland remains at the forefront of the delivery of quality provision for the elderly. The demographic changes we face, along with the pressure to ensure that older people who live longer also have a higher quality of life, demands a step change in the range of services available to elderly people, the choices individuals are able to make and the way in which services can be accessed. This can only be done through partnership working, a commitment to that common purpose along with the sharing of resources and responsibility. Work is already well advanced on the planning of the new shape of service delivery in this important area.
"The Climate Change (Scotland) Act has set world-leading targets for addressing climate change which is the greatest environmental threat we face. There is a joint commitment between national and local government to demonstrate that Scotland is a country which combines economic sustainability with environmental responsibility and social equality. To deliver on this commitment requires common purpose, joint working and the closest possible political partnership. This is exactly the sort of opportunity that can be realised as a result of the mature partnership between national and local government.
"Better policies where local government has been involved from the start lead to better services for our communities. The freedoms and flexibilities delivered by the Concordat also mean that local services can better reflect local needs and priorities.
"Our ambition remains absolutely firm. We must work together and we must demonstrate the value of joint political leadership. We are entering a period of severe financial constraint and it is only by joint working and a strong partnership that we can minimise the effects of this. We must build on the experience we have gained so far to do what is necessary to deliver the best possible public services for the people of Scotland."