Seòmar agus comataidhean

Good morning.

The Government agrees with the Accounts Commission that the bill’s financial memorandum needs to be updated due to recent increases in inflation. Given the likely squeeze on public finances over the next few years, where do you believe the money for the reform will come from?

The bill’s financial memorandum anticipates that savings or efficiencies will be made through shared services. However, SOLACE has argued that it

“does not acknowledge the corresponding loss of economies of scale for local government.”

How does the Government respond to the concerns about the bill’s financial implications for local authorities, in particular the smaller councils that are involved in the process?

Yes, of course you can.

Does Andrew Burns want to come in on that?

That is great—you both answered the questions, so I thank you for that.

Good morning, panel. SOLACE notes that the bill’s financial memorandum describes savings or efficiencies being made through shared services, but argues that that

“does not acknowledge the corresponding loss of economies of scale for local government”.

Do panellists have further insights into that?

Thanks very much. I will return to something that Eddie Follan from COSLA touched on, about assets. Councils are obviously now reluctant to look at assets over the next four to five years because they might lose them in that time. Does anyone else have anything to say on that? What impact could that have on local councils?

Good morning. CCPS’s submission suggests an alternative model in which the primary change drivers will be

“cultural in the form of relationships and behaviours embodied in the system.”

Yvette Burgess, could you expand on what is meant by that, and how that approach could be reflected in the bill?

If no one else would like to come in on that, I will hand back to the convener.

Good morning, panel, and thank you for coming along.

We all want to see more women in politics. I have certainly campaigned for that for the past seven years, and I want to make sure that all parties are making the effort to bring more women into front-line politics.

My first question is for Jessie Duncan. Research by Engender shows significant variation in the rates of women candidates across Scotland. I know that you have already touched on this, but what are the reasons for such variation? I note, for example, that the rates are 16 per cent in the Western Isles, 22 per cent in South Ayrshire and 44 per cent in East Lothian. Can you give us some background on your research in that respect?