http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: “Public sector reform: proposal” SCOTLAND en Mon, 21 Sep 2026 23:52:10 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=22010#post-385932 Mon, 21 Sep 2026 22:35:48 +0000 chdot 385932@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Whatever the intent and merits, it’s ten years too late</p> <p>There’s no ‘slack’ to deal with such reorganisation </p> <p>Things have become more complicated than the 60’s and 70’s. </p> <p>Most people only have the vaguest memory of ‘last time’</p> <p>This is worth reading if the <em>new plan </em>is of any interest. (Note the process took YEARS!) -</p> <p>“<br /> The commission's report was delivered on 25 September 1969, and recommended a two-tier system of 7 regions and 37 districts.[6] The incoming Conservative government accepted the broad principles of the commission's report in their white paper Reform of Local Government in Scotland (Cmnd. 4583), published in February 1971. The number of regions was increased to 8, and of districts to 49. Also Orkney and Shetland were to become "most-purpose" authorities, separated from the Highland Region.[7] Following consultation, the structure was modified. The Western Isles, which was to have formed four districts of the Highland Region, became an islands area, with the same status as Orkney and Shetland. The number of districts was to remain at 49 in number, but with considerable boundary changes.[8] These were the areas included in the Local Government (Scotland) Bill as introduced to parliament in 1973. Considerable changes were made during the passage of the legislation. Fife, which was to have been divided between the South-East and East Regions, was to become a region on the same boundaries as the existing county. This increased the number of regions to nine. The number of districts was increased to 53, numerous boundary changes were made and regions and districts renamed.</p> <p>The first elections to the new district and regional councils were held on 7 May 1974, with the councillors sitting as "shadow authorities" until 16 May 1975 when they came into their powers.[9]</p> <p>“<br /> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_government_areas_of_Scotland_(1975–1996)" rel="nofollow">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_government_areas_of_Scotland_(1975–1996)</a></p> <p>Now there’s also the mass consultation culture </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=22010#post-385921 Mon, 21 Sep 2026 16:34:25 +0000 MediumDave 385921@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Paging Eric Pickles. We're gonna need that pearl-handled revolver. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=22010#post-385920 Mon, 21 Sep 2026 16:30:29 +0000 chdot 385920@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“</p> <p>The Government’s opening proposition for discussion is that our current local government arrangements are replaced with a smaller number (6 to 10) of regional authorities focussing on strategic decision-making, with a substantial number (120-160) of community authorities focused on local decision-making. While there may be a general model in most cases, recognising their unique status and needs, our proposition is that this would sit alongside bespoke solutions for island communities.</p> <p>Community authorities would sit within the borders of regional authorities, with the aim that community authorities would see ‘burgh/county/town/district/island’ authorities based on identifiable communities. For example, this could include areas such as Kilmarnock in Ayrshire, or Leith in Edinburgh, or Blairgowrie and Rattray in Perthshire, it could be townships, villages or islands. </p> <p>We would propose that councillors would continue to be elected at the current ward level, sitting on both the community authority and on the associated regional authority. This would improve local decision-making and enable greater strategic working, without the necessity of a further layer of elections or creating additional tiers of bureaucracy. The same overall regional administrative or corporate structures would support both regional and community authorities. The aim is to have greater subsidiarity with more local decision making but supported by the efficiency of delivery by regional structures. </p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://www.gov.scot/publications/public-sector-reform-proposal/#page-top" rel="nofollow">https://www.gov.scot/publications/public-sector-reform-proposal/#page-top</a></p> <p>This is going to be a fun <em>consultation</em>… </p>