Scottish Government: proposals for public sector reform
Many colleagues will have read about the Scottish Government’s initial proposals to replace the existing 32 councils with a new two-tier system of regional authorities and local community authorities.
Understandably, staff will have concerns and questions about the potential changes.
Currently, nothing has been agreed, and the position is simply that the Scottish Government has outlined its initial proposals for local governance reform as part of a three-month period of dialogue with local government.
The current model of local government has not been reviewed since devolution and the restoration of the Scottish Parliament in 1999.
The Scottish Government’s starting proposition is that:
- the existing 32 local authorities are replaced by between six and ten Regional authorities – which will focus on strategic decision-making and have an enhanced role in regional economic development and business support
- between 120 and 160 Community authorities - set up to focus on local decision-making when it comes to things like planning and licensing
- there will be bespoke solutions for island communities
Community authorities would sit within the borders of Regional authorities, with the aim that Community authorities would see ‘burgh / county / town / district / island’ authorities based on identifiable communities.
For example, this could include areas such as Irvine n Ayrshire, or Leith in Edinburgh, or Blairgowrie and Rattray in Perthshire and it could be townships, villages or islands.
Elected members would continue to be elected at the current ward level, sitting on both the Community authority and on the associated regional authority – with the aim of improving local decision-making and allowing greater strategic working.
It is likely that services will be provided by Regional authorities with decision regarding key local functions being taken at the community level.
I would like to reassure staff there is nothing concrete in place at the moment, and I will keep colleagues informed and up to date with the picture as things progress. Currently, the proposed changes are at the early discussion stage and there will be broad consultation to come in the near future.
Watch our Chief Executive's update on Take Two to hear more in Craig's latest video message to colleagues.
The proposed Public Sector reform programme was discussed at full Council as recently as 16 September and it was agreed then to note the potential implications for councils and IJBs, and to bring a report back to Council to consider.
You can view the discussion on the Council's website by clicking on the North Ayrshire Council meeting 16 September webcast.
Published September 28, 2026
