Hannah Brown, Transformation Project Manager at the Improvement Service, introduces Scotland's first Duties and Powers Portal.
Scottish local government works within a complex legal framework. Councils must deliver many statutory duties and can use a wide range of discretionary powers, set out across hundreds of laws and regulations.
Until now, there has been no single place where this information could be seen together. The Duties and Powers Portal changes that.
Developed as part of the SOLACE-led Local Government Transformation Programme and delivered by the Improvement Service, the portal brings together, for the first time, a clear, searchable view of the duties and powers that underpin local government services across Scotland.
A clear, shared view of duties and powers
The portal has been created to solve a longstanding issue across the sector: information about what councils must do and what they can do has been spread across many sources, often interpreted differently and updated inconsistently.
At launch, the Duties and Powers Portal:
- Provides a national list of statutory duties and discretionary powers held by Scottish local authorities
- Shows clear information for each duty or power, including where it comes from in law, whether it is mandatory or optional, and which services it relates to
- Replaces repeated local mapping exercises that take time to create and quickly go out of date
- Gives users confidence that the information has been checked and agreed by professional experts from across the sector
The portal acts as a single starting point for anyone who needs a reliable understanding of local government’s legal responsibilities.
Built with the sector, for the sector
This work has been developed through close collaboration with professional associations and networks across Scottish local government. Subject matter experts from councils reviewed content related to their service areas to make sure it is accurate and uses consistent language and categories.
This shared approach helps build common understanding across councils. It also supports better collaboration and makes it easier to design services using the same legal baseline.
Over time, it will be enhanced to include information about transformation and improvement activity happening across councils. It has been designed to evolve as the needs of the sector change.
Launching in phases
The first version of the portal focuses on clear, factual information about local authority duties and powers. It is structured so users can search and browse the content easily.
Over time, it will be enhanced to include information about transformation and improvement activity happening across councils. It has been designed to evolve as the needs of the sector change.
Why this matters
With limited budgets, rising costs and increasing demand, councils need clarity to make good decisions. For leaders, policy teams, service designers and operational staff, the portal:
- Reduces uncertainty about statutory responsibilities
- Cuts down duplicated work and repeated legal interpretation
- Provides a shared foundation for working across council and organisational boundaries
- Supports better informed decisions and service designHelps councils focus effort and resources where they can make the biggest difference
National partners can also gain a clearer picture of how legislation affects councils in practice, supporting more consistent and transparent services.
Supporting local government transformation
The portal is an important part of the wider Local Government Transformation Programme led by SOLACE Scotland. By clearly setting out the legal responsibilities that shape council activity, it supports more joined-up and realistic transformation.
Bringing this information together in one place makes it easier to streamline processes, and spot opportunities to design services that better meet local needs.
What happens next
Once live, the portal will continue to be updated and improved through ongoing work with councils, professional associations and partners. The Improvement Service will coordinate this to keep the information accurate and useful.
The portal is only the start - but it is an important step. It shows that Scotland’s local government sector is ready to lead its own transformation, based on shared understanding and a clear view of the legal foundations that support everything councils do.