Welcome to the Duties and Powers Portal
The Duties and Powers Portal is a new national resource that brings together, for the first time, a single, shared live view of the duties and powers held by local authorities in Scotland.
Developed in partnership with the sector, the portal provides a clear and accessible picture of the legal foundations of local government. It helps councils, partners and the public better understand what local authorities are responsible for delivering, and the legislation that underpins those responsibilities.
Why this portal matters
Local government operates within a complex and evolving legislative landscape. Until now, there has been no common register of duties and powers across Scotland, meaning information is held in separate, local sources. The Duties and Powers Portal addresses this by offering a centralised, transparent and up-to-date resource. This single point of reference supports a shared understanding across the sector.
Built with the sector, for the sector
The portal has been developed by drawing on the expertise and experience of councils, professional associations and partners. Content is peer reviewed to ensure it is accurate, comprehensive and grounded in practice, with professional bodies playing a key role in sense checking and validating entries. This approach helps ensure the portal remains credible, relevant and reflective of how services are delivered on the ground.
Part of a wider transformation programme
The Duties and Powers Portal sits at the heart of the wider SOLACE and Improvement Service Transformation Programme, supporting a clearer, shared understanding of the legal framework within which local government operates. This shared foundation helps inform ongoing work to improve how services are designed and delivered for communities across Scotland.
DISCLAIMER
The Duties and Powers Portal is a continually evolving resource and will be updated regularly as new information becomes available. If you notice any inaccuracies, omissions, or have suggestions for improvement, please contact us at transformation@improvementservice.org.uk.
The list of local authority duties and powers included here reflects the information identified to the best of our knowledge. We are aware that some duties or powers may be missing, and we welcome users notifying us of any gaps. Please note that not all councils hold exactly the same duties and powers. Variations can arise for a number of reasons, including legislative context, delegated responsibilities, and local geographies.