✨Our fantastic fifteen finalists in this year's COSLA Excellence Awards have been announced! We are looking forward to finding out the winners at the Awards Ceremony in November, as part of the COSLA Conference & Exhibition. Read more with comment from @morayshona.bsky.social here: bit.ly/4pFt4gg

Exciting news! Our team has been named a finalist in the 2025 COSLA Excellence Awards for our work in Project-Based Learning and Partnership. A huge thank you to the staff, students, and partners – proud to see this recognised nationally! www.cosla.gov.uk/news/2025/ce...

We are pleased to announce that our Psychological Services/Children’s Rights and Participation Group are COSLA Excellence Awards Finalists in Cat 4 – Strengthening Communities & Local Democracy. Read More:https://buff.ly/a5wC5lq

Good luck Jo and Sadie who were presenting to the Cosla Excellence Awards judging panel, in Category 4- Strengthening Communities and Local Democracy. Winners will be announced on 13 November.

The City of Edinburgh Council has been recognised alongside other local authorities across Scotland as a finalist in this year’s COSLA Excellence Awards for its Construction Skills work in the ‘Improving in Partnership’ category.

Reform council tax, Cosla urges parties ahead of Scottish Parliament election www.holyrood.com/news/view,re...

Reform council tax, Cosla urges ahead of Scottish Parliament election. Councils tackling a combined funding gap of £647m, with the workforce down 11% since 2013, Meanwhile, costs and demand for services such as housing and social care continue to rise. www.holyrood.com/news/view,re...

📢 COSLA’s 2026 Manifesto is here: Strong Communities Start with Local Government. We’re calling for sustainable finance, empowered local democracy & investment in people and places. Let’s work together to help Scotland live well locally. 🔗 bit.ly/4qIhhP1

🏡 Councils deliver the services that make communities thrive. But without sustainable funding, these services are under threat. We’re calling for fair, multi-year funding and local revenue-raising powers. cosla.gov.uk/__data/asset...

Our family support hubs in South Lanarkshire have been shortlisted for the Cosla Excellence Awards - practical and successful examples of early intervention in action. Very worthy contenders! www.cosla.gov.uk/news/2025/ce...

Earlier this week, the Whole System Strategic Improvement Group held its latest quarterly meeting. Read what COSLA’s Health and Social Care Spokesperson, Councillor Paul Kelly, who co-chairs the WSSIG, had to say following the meeting:

Here at COSLA, we have our very own ‘feel good Friday’ story for you… Our Vice President, Councillor Steven Heddle, recently completed a 967-mile cycle from Lands End to John o' Groats in just 13 days, raising a massive £5000 (including Gift Aid) for @cancerresearchuk.org 🚴‍♂️

We're at the Festival of Politics today, with COSLA's Environment and Economy Spokesperson, Councillor Gail Macgregor joining a fantastic panel alongside Ariane Burgess MSP, Andy Wightman, Esther Robertson and Dr Greg Stride.

“It's not local and it doesn't govern” @andywightman.scot says as the discussion opens at #FoP2025 Is the current structure of local government fit for the next 30 years? 👇 Join the discussion👇

Very excited to see @kermodemovie.bsky.social at @edbookfest.bsky.social today. Throat still sore from Oasis so thankfully don't need to sing along today!

It's #SQAresults Day! Congrats if you're receiving results today.😊 ✉️Learners will receive their certificate in the post today and if you've signed up to MySQA you'll also receive your results by text or email. Results Day resources and support 👉 info.sqa.org.uk/YourResults2025

Today marks one year since the United Nations Convention on Rights of the Child #UNCRC was incorporated into Scots Law. Read the full comment welcoming this milestone from COSLA's Children & Young People Spokesperson, Councillor Tony Buchanan: cosla.gov.uk/news/2025/ce...

Improving Outcomes Through Partnership: the CHI in Local Government Project brings together key partners to deliver better outcomes for citizens. Read the full joint release from COSLA, The Scottish Government, The Digital Office & Public Health Scotland to find out more: bit.ly/3IE4CuO

COSLA has published a new case study from @northlanarkshire.gov.uk showcasing the Burns Gym Virtual Fitness Programme delivered in local care homes. Read more: bit.ly/4ktsqPf (1/2)

Today COSLA Health & Social Care Spokesperson, Cllr Paul Kelly, met with Minister for Social Care & Mental Wellbeing, Mr Tom Arthur MSP. Great opportunity to discuss shared opportunities & challenges for social care & social work, as well as COSLA & Scottish Government's ongoing partnership working.

***Deadline Extended*** The deadline for the COSLA Excellence Awards has been extended to 5pm on Friday, 1st August. If you know of an exceptional council team or project, please spread the news - there's still time to apply! Find out more & apply: www.cosla.gov.uk/news/excelle...

COSLA's email bulletin for Elected Members has been published! In this issue: 🟣Latest updates on pay negotiations 🟣Excellence Awards deadline extended 🟣Book your place at the COSLA Conference ...& much more! 🔗https://mailchi.mp/cosla/cosla-emb-3rd-july-2025

Was privileged to be asked to host a panel discussion with #ACOSVO this morning. Great examples of innovation and values led leadership delivering for their communities

Looking back at last year's LGIU & CCLA Cllr Awards and looking forward to the 2025 Awards 🏆 Send us your nominations for #localgov councillors before 11 June and help us celebrate the best of our local democracy! #CllrAwards 🔗 lgiu.org/events/cllr-awards/

A new #reading experience for me this week. I have been really interested in stoicism in how we get through difficult times so decided to try some source material. Not all of it is respectful of emotional experience but there is lot here in terms of duty, practical intelligence and community. 📚💙

A great opportunity for people with LG experience 👇

Mounting pressures from inflation, increasing costs and demand are exceeding the Scottish Government’s additional investment in Scotland’s councils. Read the Accounts Commission's latest report on the finances of Scotland's councils: bit.ly/Local_Govern...

Cllr Shona Morrison, COSLA President, spoke about celebrating all things local government, their role and duty to strengthen democracy as well as the importance of diversity in representation, reflecting she is only the second female president. 📸 with Cllr Steven Heddle & NASUWT Scotland President.

It was both a pleasure and a privilege to be part of celebrating the first 50 years of COSLA 🎂

This week marks #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek! The theme is 'community'. COSLA's Health and Social Care Spokesperson, Councillor Paul Kelly, welcomed the focus of Mental Health Awareness Week and highlighted the importance of community and connection for mental health ⬇️

COSLA's email bulletin for Elected Members has been published! In the latest issue: 🟣Applications now open for the COSLA Excellence Awards 🟣Parliamentary Reception celebrating COSLA's 50th Year 🟣Support, information & resources for Councillors 🔗https://mailchi.mp/cosla/cosla-emb-14th-may-2025

COSLA celebrated its 50th Birthday with a reception at The Scottish Parliament yesterday evening. Huge thank you to all who attended, and to our wonderful guest speakers - Sir Neil McIntosh and @shonarobisonmsp.bsky.social. We're looking forward to sharing more insights from the event soon!

Starting a week off work in style buying @edbookfest.bsky.social tickets. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, RF Kuang and @kermodemovie.bsky.social all in the space of a few weeks. Bring it on August….

It's almost time to launch the 2025 COSLA Excellence Awards - celebrating the very best in Scottish Local Government. Applications open on Tuesday 6th of May. Find out more: cosla.gov.uk/news/2025/th...

Our greatly missed Head of Communications, David Kennedy, who sadly passed away in March, has been celebrated in today's edition of The Scotsman with an obituary recognising his incredible contribution. www.scotsman.com/news/people/...

We listen. All of our work is founded on listening to women. Hannah, our CEO, speaks of our passion for change - supporting women to stand & thrive. But it doesn't stop there - we are also focused on Fixing the System - to make democracy fit! Thanks to @improvserv.bsky.social & @cosla.gov.uk

As conversations take place around protecting democracy, COSLA and Scottish Local Government will continue to work to strengthen local democracy - our President, @morayshona.bsky.social, has said today.

This was really funny - definitely worth a read if you are looking for something light but clever 💙📚

Remembering Stephen Lawrence who was murdered on this day in 1993 by racists. #stephenlawrenceday

With thanks to Angiolina Foster for her exceptional leadership as Chair of Public Health Scotland- it is now time to recruit the next Chair Jointly sponsored by COSLA & Scottish Govt, we need a true systems leader in this role. Please share. …asfaukgovprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candidat…

A legacy to be proud of. Lovely tribute to David Kennedy in The Herald today www.heraldscotland.com/business_hq/...

Thanks to all who came along to our mini-conference this morning - we're delighted that so many Councillors were able to join us either online or in person. Find out more about the important topics discussed today: bit.ly/3DKmVfT

@cosla.gov.uk has tasked me to represent them at the hemicycle of the Congress for Regional and Local Authorities. Today I have spoken on Human rights in local government, Teaching Social History & Tackling violence against women in politics.

The factsheet we have put together will hopefully help clarify some of the misinformation out there on councillor remuneration

COSLA’s Community Wellbeing Spokesperson, @maureenchalmers.bsky.social has shared words of condolence today following the sad news that Christina McKelvie MSP, Minister for Drug and Alcohol Policy, has died.

We have lost a great colleague and friend @COSLA - tributes are coming in across local government, national government and the media. He was one of the kindest and funniest men I have ever met and my thoughts are with his beloved family 💜

COSLA's email bulletin for Elected Members has been published! In the latest issue: 🟣Strengthening Local Democracy: Women's Leadership Campaign 🟣Councillor Safety 🟣Keeping Children Safe in Scotland ...and much more➡️ mailchi.mp/cosla/cosla-...

How do you encourage other women to excel in leadership roles? COSLA Chief Executive @msjaneod.bsky.social answered for our Strengthening Local Democracy: Women In Leadership campaign👇 Read more➡️ www.cosla.gov.uk/news/2025/st... #InspiringLocalGovernment

COSLA’s Health and Social Care Spokesperson, Cllr Paul Kelly met today with Chief Executives of local carer centres across Scotland for a roundtable discussion organised by Carers Trust Scotland alongside the Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, Maree Todd MSP.

Please share. Thank you.