The COSLA/Improvement Service Annual Conference opens today (3 March) with speeches from Alex Salmond MSP, First Minister of Scotland, and COSLA President Councillor Pat Watters CBE.
They are expected to address the conference on the challenges facing local government entering a period of considerable financial restraint.
"It is fair to say that we have never had a more appropriate Conference strap-line: Change, Challenge and Opportunity," said Cllr Watters.
"Looking ahead we all recognise that the next two spending review periods are going to be extremely difficult for the whole of the public sector.
"All of the available forecasts leave little doubt that a real terms reduction to the Scottish Government's budget is coming and that Local Government will have its share of pain. These budget reductions are likely to continue over a number of years and require a longer term strategy to balance the books.
"The Conference will look at some of the issues facing us in relation to this period of real financial restrain."
Ageing population
Among the issues under discussion at the Conference is re-shaping adult health and social care to cope with an ageing population. The Health spokespersons from the four major political parties will set out their visions for change.
Other topics for debate include alternative models of public service delivery, transformation and change in local government, and improving governance.
A Dragon's Den-style session will see participants asked to pitch their ideas for change or improvement to a panel of 'dragons', drawn from the political leadership of Scottish local government.
The Conference lasts from Wednesday to Friday (3-5 March) and will also feature the COSLA Excellence Awards, which recognise excellence in local public services and "inspired approaches" to local issues.
We will be providing regular updates on the COSLA/Improvement Service Annual Conference as it happens. You can keep track of events as they unfold on this site, through the Conferences section.
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