Single Authority Model (Sam) - Update
Argyll and Bute Council · 26 June 2025
Back to Argyll and Bute Council — 26 June 2025 and its agenda
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COUNCIL CHIEF EXECUTIVE 26TH JUNE 2025 SINGLE AUTHORITY MODEL (SAM) - UPDATE 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 At the Council meeting held on 24th April 2025, Members agreed to establish a SAM SLWG to act as a sounding board and take forward the development of alternative governance models for Argyll and Bute, including the identification of a preferred model, which can be used as the basis for further consultation. 1.2 This report provides an update on the work of the SLWG to date and other key activities in the interim period. 1.3 It is recommended that Members • Endorse, in general, the work that has been undertaken to date by the SLWG and wider Officer representation, specifically the activity being undertaken on a partnership basis to identify a joint preferred model for further consideration and consultation.
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COUNCIL CHIEF EXECUTIVE 26TH JUNE 2025 SINGLE AUTHORITY MODEL (SAM) - UPDATE 2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1 At the Council meeting held on 24th April 2025, Members agreed to establish a SAM SLWG to act as a sounding board and take forward the development of alternative governance models for Argyll and Bute, including the identification of a preferred model, which can be used as the basis for further consultation. 2.2 This report provides an update on the work of the SLWG to date and other key activities in the interim period. 3.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 3.1 It is recommended that Members • Endorse, in general, the work that has been undertaken to date by the SLWG and wider Officer representation, specifically the activity being undertaken on a partnership basis to identify a joint preferred model for further consideration and consultation. 4.0 DETAIL Local Update 4.1 Since the Council meeting in April, the SAM SLWG has met on two occasions. At their initial meeting on 16th May the SLWG considered and agreed a set of guiding principles/criteria on which to assess the five options currently identified. It was also agreed that Officers would seek to engage further with local partners (HSCP and NHS Highland) in respect of each of the options and report back to the next SLWG, scheduled for 3rd June. 4.2 Following the SLWG held on 16th May, Officers met with colleagues from the HSCP and NHS Highland to continue our collaborative approach to this work and to update on the discussions/decisions taken at the SLWG. This included agreement to extend an invitation to appropriate NHS Highland non-executive
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Board members to the next meeting of the SLWG. This was actioned, but due to the tight timescales/ other commitments it was not possible to secure partner attendance for the meeting on 3rd June. 4.3 One of the key next steps is for local partners to come to an agreed position on a preferred model for Argyll and Bute at this point in time, which can be further developed and form the basis of any consultation exercise undertaken. In order to facilitate this multi-agency approach, an Officer led steering/working group has also been established to drive forward this piece of work. An initial meeting is being scheduled for June, with outputs reported to the extended SLWG, in the first instance. The core membership of this group is detailed below, and will be supplemented by others from across partners as appropriate:- Douglas Hendry - Executive Director (ABC) David Logan – Head of Legal and Regulatory Support (ABC) Graeme McMillan – Transformation Programme Manager (ABC) Laura Blackwood – Directorate Support Officer (ABC) Evan Beswick – Chief Officer (HSCP) Gareth Adkins – Director of People and Culture (NHS Highland) Boyd Peters – Medical Director (NHS Highland) 4.4 At the SLWG held on 3rd June Members noted the current position, as per the preceding paragraphs, and considered draft communications materials which could be used for engagement with staff and the wider public. It was also agreed that a further meeting of the SLWG would be arranged in due course, with an invitation being extended to Non-Executive Board members of NHS Highland. National Updates 4.5 As previously reported to Council, at a national level there continues to be an expectation that potential SAM models will be developed at pace. This is evident from the national workplan and timelines, which had anticipated that preferred models would be identified by June, with consultation beginning in August 2025. Furthermore, the Programme for Government for 2025/26, which was published on 6th May, states that by the end of the Parliament the Scottish Government will publish “preferred models for Single Authority Models in Argyll and Bute, Orkney and Western Isles that have been developed jointly by local government and health and enable a shift towards prevention. This will include a plan and timeline for implementation, with at least one area transitioning to shadow arrangements.” 4.6 All local partners are committed to identifying a joint preferred model for further exploration as expeditiously as possible, however the current timescales are challenging. As reported to the SLWG in May, it was originally envisaged that a report could be tabled at Council on 26th June, and to Highland Health Board on 29th July, to obtain approval on a joint preferred model. However, this has become unachievable due to the outstanding work required to assess the current five options on the table collaboratively, and in the absence of supporting information to facilitate this exercise, such as the reform parameters
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documentation being prepared by the Scottish Government. There was an indication from the Scottish Government that further advice on the parameters would be forthcoming at the joint Ministerial meeting scheduled for 5th June, but this meeting has since been cancelled with a further date still to be identified. 4.7 From an engagement perspective, initial communications materials have been drafted and shared with local partners and the SLWG, with a view to being issued internally to staff groups in the first instance. However, beginning a wider community consultation from August, as per the current timeline, is considered ambitious at this stage. Timescales for engagement/consultation will become clearer once there is a jointly agreed position on a preferred option. Public Sector Reform – Invest to Save Fund 4.8 As part of the Cabinet Secretary for Finance’s budget statement in December 2024 a £30m Invest to Save fund was launched. This initiative is aimed at funding reforms, driving efficiencies and improving productivity within public services. A bid for funding was submitted jointly by the Society of Local Authority Chief executives (SOLACE) on behalf of a number of Councils who are currently exploring integrated authority models, including; Argyll and Bute, Eilean Siar, Orkney, North/East/South Ayrshire, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Councils. 4.9 Following the submission of the bid in March, it has recently been announced that Argyll and Bute, Eilean Siar, and Orkney Councils have jointly received funding of up to £900K, payable over financial year 2025/26, to support the development of Single Authority Models within our respective areas. Argyll and Bute Council will continue to work in collaboration with the other two Councils to ensure the most efficient utilisation of the funds, particularly where there are common areas of support required – e.g. legal advice across a number of areas, financial modelling, and consultation/engagement resource. 5.0 CONCLUSION 5.1 Following on from the report presented to Council in April 2025, this report provides Members with an update on the work of the SAM SLWG to date, and sets out the collaborative work planned between local partners to assess and identify a preferred option for Argyll and Bute, which will be reported to the SLWG and Council in due course. 6.0 IMPLICATIONS 6.1 Policy; currently none but with the potential for significant implications due to emerging national policies. 6.2 Financial; none at present - exploration of a SAM will consider any financial implications arising.
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6.3 Legal; a review of all relevant legislation will be undertaken as part of the development of any options for a SAM. Depending on the preferred model identified, new legislation may be required. 6.4 HR; none at present – as the proposals develop there may be a requirement for additional resource to support this work. 6.5 Customer Service; none arising from this report 6.6 Risk; failure to explore options for the best model for our communities and influence the national development of reforms. 6.7 Climate Change; none. 6.8 Fairer Scotland Duty: none 6.9 Equalities - protected characteristics; none arising from this report 6.10 Consumer Duty; none arising from this report 6.11 Island Communities; none arising from this report 6.12 Children’s Rights and Wellbeing; none arising from this report Pippa Milne - Chief Executive Councillor Jim Lynch – Leader of the Council 4th June 2025 For further information contact: Laura Blackwood Directorate Support Officer 01546 604325