1. Lesson Starter Quick questions: 1.Explain the three different types of services that LA provide. 2.Outline the meaning of Best Value.

2. What will I learn? We are learning to understand the relationship between Local Authorities and the Scottish Government

3. Success Criteria Describe the role of COSLA. Outline the principles of the Concordat. List and evaluate the problems associated with the Concordat.

4. COSLA The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) is the voice of Scottish Local Authorities. All 32 LA are members of COSLA. Meets on a regular basis throughout the year. COSLA will defend local authorities role in providing local services, against the ‘centralising’ role of either the UK P or the SP providing those services.

5. COSLA Represents local government interests to the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government.

6. Thinking Task: Why are good relationships necessary between the LA and SG? When have relationships been difficult? SP legislates for Scotland- relationships between constituency MSPs and LA are important. COSLA- used by LA to influence the government. LA heavily reliant on income from SG- revenue support grant.

7. Relations between local and national government Sets targets for local governments to achieve. In order for this relationship to work, there must be cooperation between all levels of government. Ministers meet regularly with LA officials and with COSLA

8. Relations between local and national government In theory local governments should be independent bodies who are left alone to manage their daily business affairs without the interference from the Scottish Parliament or Government. In reality, however, the Scottish Government sets the agenda for most of the functions carried out by local authorities through acts of parliament.

9. The Concordat Relationship between Local Government and the Scottish Government The Scottish Government's concordat agreement with local government in 2007 changed the relationship between the two. Today this relationship is based on mutual respect and partnership, promoting progress towards the alignment of funding and activities within local authorities.

10. The Single Outcome Agreements Under the Concordat, the Scottish have set out a list of priorities (SOAs) that need to be achieved by the Local Authorities. In return the Scottish Government have given Local Authorities more money to carry out the priorities. Scottish Government has also ended ‘ring fencing’. This means that now local authorities can decide on their own spending priorities and allocate funding as they see fit, giving them greater fiscal autonomy.

11. Lesson Starter 1.What is meant by the term “ring fencing”? 2.Explain some of the details of the Concordat between the Scottish Government and LAs. 3.What is COSLA?

12. Problems Unfortunately for education, money once allocated to specific learning initiatives e.g. Spending on textbooks, has been used by local authorities for other purposes, such as social work. This partly explains why 3,000 teaching jobs have disappeared since 2007!! Nevertheless, at times the nature of the relationship and partnership working of the concordat have come under severe strain. (see ‘Playing with fire can be risky article from the Herald 2011)

13. ‘Playing with fire can be risky’ 1.Why did Kenny MacAskill find himself under scrutiny? 2.Why was the Concordat called into question? http://www.heraldscotland.com/comment/hera ld-view/playing-with-fire-can-be-risky- 1.1082879