Local government transformation programme

The local government transformation programme is developing proposals for a future operating model for councils and options for future delivery of council services.

It is an ambitious programme of reform led by Solace Scotland and supported by the Improvement Service.

The programme builds on an Improvement Service report, published in October 2022, which proposes a new vision for Scottish local governmentDelivering a future for Scottish Local Authorities outlines the context that local government is operating within, the challenges and opportunities it faces and how councils might transition to a model of service delivery that builds on current success but more deliberately supports effective partnerships to improve outcomes for communities.

The paper identifies six anchors as key building blocks for transformation, and each anchor has a chief executive sponsor from a Scottish council.

  1. Unlocking community action
  2. Enable a functioning, trusted local and central government relationship
  3. Design for people’s needs
  4. Create digital, design and technology-enabled transformation
  5. A focus on people through a public sector plc that tackles inequality at the root in order to improve everyone’s life chances
  6. Lead council and cross-sector partnerships with a focus on outcomes

Volunteers from across the local government sector have been involved in a range of projects that are working towards transformation within these six anchors. This has involved supporting three key workstreams:

  • Officer-led conversation on public sector reform
  • Short-term local government transformation projects
  • Building capacity to lead and deliver transformation – including the Leadership Practitioner Forum

You can find more information about each of these on our website and if you want to get involved, please email Rachael Hood.