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Concerns Raised Over Proposed Local Government Changes in West Lothian
Senior finance officers in West Lothian are set to meet with counterparts from across Scotland to discuss potential changes to local government, as revealed to councillors during a recent session. Alasdair Black, Head of Finance, is scheduled to provide an initial response to the proposals from the Scottish Government at the upcoming Council Executive meeting.
Councillors have been informed that the true implications of these proposed changes will not become clear until later in the year, following the publication of the Scottish Budget in December. Black explained that he anticipates having more clarity following an initial three-month consultation period.
Concerns regarding the financial impact of these proposals were raised by Conservative group leader Damian Doran-Timson, who also chairs the Governance and Risk Committee. He questioned the measures that could be taken to mitigate any potential risks before the changes take effect. Senior Labour councillor Harry Cartmill specifically expressed apprehension regarding the future of West Lothian Leisure, an arms-length leisure trust that operates facilities such as Xcite gyms and swimming pools. Cartmill queried, “Where do our Xcite gyms, our ALEOs sit under these proposals? I am quite worried about what will happen to them.”
In a meeting earlier this month, Doran-Timson highlighted the growing unease in the community concerning the public service review, advocating for strategic planning to address potential impacts before any changes are implemented.
The proposed restructuring suggests the formation of eight new regional authorities and approximately 160 to 180 community authorities, reminiscent of the pre-1996 local governance structure which included nine Regional Councils and 53 districts on the mainland. The Regional Councils historically managed larger strategic services, while district councils dealt with local services such as housing and environmental health.
While many councillors acknowledge the necessity for reform within local government, there is considerable apprehension regarding the details of the proposed structure. The consensus among elected officials and council officers is that without adequate funding, sustaining public sector services will prove challenging.
Mr Black, in addressing the council, stated his belief that arms-length external organisations, including facilities like Xcite gyms, would continue to operate under community authority oversight even amid these proposed changes.
