COSLA
Local Governance Review launched to strengthen local decision making
A Local Governance Review has been launched to allow communities to have their say on how more decisions can be taken at a local level.
Published 8 December 2017
Local authorities could run out of cash reserves in two years, report warns
Councils are showing increasing signs of financial stress and could see their cash reserves run out in two to three years, the local authority watchdog has warned.
Published 28 November 2017
Scottish Housing News talks to COSLA’s new community wellbeing spokesperson Councillor Kelly Parry
As Midlothian councillor Kelly Parry settles into her post as spokesperson for community wellbeing at the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), Scottish Housing News asks about the housing elements of her wide-ranging role.
Published 4 October 2017
Crisis launches major consultation on ending homelessness
National charity for homeless people Crisis is running a major consultation as part of its 50th anniversary year to develop a plan to end homelessness.
Published 2 October 2017
Welfare secretary to meet MSPs as Universal Credit concerns mount
The roll out of the devolution of welfare powers to Scotland and concerns over Universal Credit will be raised by the Scottish Parliament’s social security committee when it takes evidence from secretary of state for work and pensions David Gauke MP.
Published 2 October 2017
Henry McLeish heads new campaign to help influence new Planning Bill
An alliance of ten organisations from the planning and placemaking sector in Scotland has launched a new campaign to help influence new planning guidelines ahead of the upcoming Planning Bill.
Published 26 September 2017
More details emerge on new social security agency
Social security minister Jeane Freeman has outlined more details on Scotland’s new social security agency and provided an update on the Scottish Government’s progress to abolish the ‘bedroom tax’ at source and in delivering choice in Universal Credit.
Published 20 September 2017
Councils agree next steps to increasing benefit uptake
Social security minister Jeane Freeman met local councils yesterday to discuss the practical steps needed to encourage more people to claim the financial support they are entitled to.
Published 25 August 2017
Aberdeen City Council votes to rejoin COSLA
Aberdeen City Council has agreed to rejoin the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) after a two year absence.
Published 24 August 2017
COSLA calls for joined-up preventative approach to tackle homelessness
An integrated, whole-system approach which addresses social inequalities and goes beyond housing is required to prevent and respond to homelessness in Scotland, according to the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA).
Published 22 June 2017
Budget broadly welcomed by housing sector but fuel poverty funding ‘falls short’
The Scottish Government has reaffirmed its target to build 50,000 affordable homes and pledged more funding to offset the ‘bedroom tax’ though campaigners have criticised the Draft Budget for failing to provide the ambition required to crack the problem of Scotland’s inefficient homes.
Published 16 December 2016
Councils’ homelessness efforts ‘under threat’ from funding cuts
Scotland local authorities have warned that severe cuts to local government will threaten to undo the great efforts councils have made to tackle homelessness.
Published 7 December 2016
Further local government cuts will result ‘severe’ job losses, warns COSLA
Up to 7,000 jobs have gone in local authorities over the past year with thousands more at risk if there are any further cuts to local government funding, Scotland’s councils have warned.
Published 5 December 2016
Councils spend ‘hundreds of millions’ servicing £11.5bn of long-term debt
Scotland’s councils are spending more than half of the money they bring in from Council Tax simply to pay interest on debts, according to the Scottish Greens.
Published 16 November 2016
COSLA manifesto calls for revolution in local democracy
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.
Published 21 March 2016
