For local government to be successful as well as having our own Agenda and the COSLA – Plan is a fantastic start here we need a working, disciplined and effective partnership with – Scottish Government which does not shy away from giving appropriate challenge. Our Agenda should be about to build upon this relationship in ways that allow us to be more innovative, more effective and more sensitive to the needs of local people and communities. At a time of reduced resources and increased demands such an approach is not merely an option but a requirement. If government only believes that there is an equal partnership only when we are needed, this is not a good place to be in. Many issues will be important to one partner or the other, simply because of the politics that are involved or indeed the membership that requires to be satisfied. In writing this speech, I came to the conclusion that when all is said and done and everything is stripped back - my plea for a distinct government agenda is about equality, Our Agenda YES OUR AGENDA SCOTTISH LOCAL GOVERNMENT’s AGENDA - might – – be impacted by Scottish government BUT IT WILL NOT BE DEFINED BY IT. Our Agenda is about recognising the equal status of national and local government as – spheres of government in Scotland. Our Agenda - is being as equally bold as others in our aspiration and not being afraid to fail Our Agenda means doubling our efforts and being the political leaders our communities – expect and equally that national politicians respect. Our Agenda is about being smarter about the things we want to see happening with us or by – us but most definitely not to us. – Our Agenda is about equally representing people, achieving benefits for local communities – and delivering essential services Our Agenda is about an equal balance between partnership working and working ourselves – where appropriate Our Agenda is equally about coming up with innovative funding solutions for ourselves. – Our Agenda as COSLA - is to equally represent our member councils, urban, rural and island Our Agenda - is about making our Council chambers more equal Our Agenda - is making our communities more equal And finally Conference the simple truth is that we have to truly believe that our Agenda is up to us. The first step is to take one let’s do this! –
For local government to be successful as well as having our own Agenda – and the COSLA Plan is a fantastic start here – we need a working, disciplined and effective partnership with Scottish Government which does not shy away from giving appropriate challenge. Our Agenda should be about to build upon this relationship in ways that allow us to be more innovative, more effective and more sensitive to the needs of local people and communities. At a time of reduced resources and increased demands such an approach is not merely an option but a requirement. If government only believes that there is an equal partnership only when we are needed, this is not a good place to be in. Many issues will be important to one partner or the other, simply because of the politics that are involved or indeed the membership that requires to be satisfied. In writing this speech, I came to the conclusion that when all is said and done and everything is stripped back - my plea for a distinct government agenda is about equality, Our Agenda – YES OUR AGENDA – SCOTTISH LOCAL GOVERNMENT’s AGENDA - might be impacted by Scottish government BUT IT WILL NOT BE DEFINED BY IT. Our Agenda – is about recognising the equal status of national and local government as spheres of government in Scotland. Our Agenda - is being as equally bold as others in our aspiration and not being afraid to fail Our Agenda – means doubling our efforts and being the political leaders our communities expect and equally that national politicians respect. Our Agenda – is about being smarter about the things we want to see happening with us or by us – but most definitely not to us. Our Agenda – is about equally representing people, achieving benefits for local communities and delivering essential services Our Agenda – is about an equal balance between partnership working and working ourselves where appropriate Our Agenda – is equally about coming up with innovative funding solutions for ourselves. Our Agenda as COSLA - is to equally represent our member councils, urban, rural and island Our Agenda - is about making our Council chambers more equal Our Agenda - is making our communities more equal And finally Conference the simple truth is that we have to truly believe that our Agenda is up to us. The first step is to take one – let’s do this!