COSLA backing for Andy Wightman council laws
Scottish councils have backed new proposed laws by Scottish Green MSP Andy Wightman to empower local authorities.
In a column in the Scotsman, COSLA president Alison Evison endorses Mr Wightman’s proposed European Charter of Local Self-Government (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill, which would give councils democratic rights that many other local legislatures in nations across Europe already enjoy.
In her column, Evison says: “The Bill brought forward in May by Andy Wightman is a huge opportunity to improve outcomes, empower citizens and reduce inequalities for the whole of Scotland.”
Responding, Andy Wightman said: “I’m delighted that COSLA back my attempts to bring Scottish local democracy into line with most normal European nations. The incorporation of the Charter is long overdue having been called for since before the dawn of the Scottish Parliament. It’s vital that we protect the political, administrative and financial independence of local government to work in the interests of our communities.”