All 32 of Scotland's local authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to the Solace/IS Transformation Programme focused on delivering sustainable services, efficiencies, and better outcomes for communities.
The latest progress report highlights significant achievements during 2025/26, including:
- the launch of our duties and powers portal
- the development of a new national self-evaluation framework
- the publication of a major evidence base to support public service reform
Backed by a £700,000 investment from Scotland's councils, the programme is helping local government move beyond short-term efficiencies and towards system-wide reform focused on prevention, collaboration and better use of public resources.
The programme builds on the system-wide blueprint first presented at the Solace Scotland Conference in 2022 and formalised in 2023 with Chief Executive level sponsorship.
The Accounts Commission’s 2024 report recognised the programme’s potential and challenged the sector to strengthen delivery plans, timelines and measures – momentum that has been taken forward through 2025/26.
Clare Sherry, Programme Manager, said:
“This report demonstrates the progress we’ve made by working together to realise the ambitions within the Solace/IS Transformation Programme.
“We are developing and delivering practical proposals for real change within councils to ensure this transformation work is about actions, not just words.”