Programme for Government: Public Service Reform and Local Governance
Perth and Kinross Council · 23 September 2026
Back to Perth and Kinross Council — 23 September 2026 and its agenda
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Our vision is a Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality Committee: Special Perth and Kinross Council Date of Meeting: 23 September 2026 Report Title: Programme for Government: Public Service Reform and Local Governance Report Number: 26/261 Report Author: Greg Boland, Strategic Lead – Strategic Planning, People and Performance Organisational Lead: Thomas Glen, Chief Executive __________________________________________________________________ 1. Purpose 1.1 This report provides the Council with an opportunity to debate the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government 2026-2031, with particular focus on public service reform and the potential implications for local government. It also enables the Council to provide feedback to officers and elected members involved in future discussions, to agree its position on the Scottish Government’s proposed engagement, and to note that further briefings will be provided as proposals are developed. 2. Recommendations It is recommended that the Council: 2.1 considers the implications of the Programme for Government, particularly its public service reform elements, and provides feedback to officers and elected members involved in discussions on the Council’s views; 2.2 considers whether and how Perth and Kinross Council should participate in the Scottish Government’s proposed national dialogue on local governance and public service reform; 2.3 notes that the Chief Executive has responded in principle to the invitation to engage, pending the Council’s consideration of this report; 2.4 authorises the Chief Executive to confirm the Council’s position to the Scottish Government and to make the practical arrangements required for any agreed participation; and
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2.5 notes that officers will provide further briefings as the detail of the Scottish Government proposals emerge and that any matter requiring a formal Council decision will be reported to Council separately. 3. Programme for Government 3.1 The Scottish Government published its Programme for Government 2026- 2031 on 1 September 2026. Public service reform is a central theme, alongside the future of health and social care, financial and organisational sustainability, prevention, collaboration, digital delivery and more joined-up services. The first-year legislative programme includes a proposed Public Service Renewal Bill. 3.2 An Elected Member Briefing Note was issued on 8 September 2026 which provides an overview of the Programme for Government and identifies the issues of particular significance for Perth and Kinross Council. That briefing should be read alongside this report. 3.3 For local government, one of the most significant elements of the Programme is the proposed national dialogue on the future governance, funding, planning and delivery of local public services. The Programme points towards stronger strategic and regional working while also referring to the importance of community influence and local control. 3.4 The Programme for Government sets a broad direction for public service delivery. Detailed proposals, including the intended allocation of functions, governance, funding and accountability, have not yet been presented. The Council is therefore being asked to consider the direction of travel and its approach to engagement, rather than to endorse a particular structure or reform model. 4. Public service reform 4.1 The reform agenda covers the organisation and delivery of public services, including health, social care and the respective roles of national, regional, local and community arrangements. The central issue is not simply organisational structure. It is how services can secure better outcomes, remain financially sustainable and retain clear democratic accountability. 4.2 The Programme for Government refers to stronger strategic and regional working, including transport and the economy, while also recognising local control and community influence. Different functions may require different approaches. Scale, specialist capacity and consistency may support collaboration in some areas, while local responsibility may be essential where responsiveness, place and democratic accountability are central. 4.3 Health and social care reform is closely connected to this wider discussion. Changes in responsibilities, delivery arrangements or governance could have significant implications for councils, integration arrangements, staff, funding and accountability.
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4.4 As well as across health and social care, Perth and Kinross Council currently works through a range of local, regional and national arrangements under the current local authority model. These include TACTRAN and wider regional transport collaboration, the Tay Cities Deal and regional economic development, Tayside Contracts, digital and information-sharing activity, regional and local resilience arrangements, and shared expertise, contractual delivery and other specialist functions. Officers also continue to work with other councils to identify opportunities for joint working, shared capacity and efficiency. 4.5 Existing collaboration demonstrates that reform does not depend on a single structural model. It also underlines the need to assess what is already working, where further collaboration could add value, and where local control should be retained. That assessment should consider outcomes, accountability, financial and workforce implications, capacity, geography and the needs of rural and urban communities. 4.6 Work is under way to strengthen the Council’s evidence base. This includes current delivery arrangements, partnership and shared service models, service and workforce pressures, funding consequences, risks and opportunities for improvement. This will support future briefings and enable the Council to assess detailed proposals when available. 5. Scottish Government engagement 5.1 On 15 September 2026, the Acting Director for Local Government and Communities invited councils to take part in a ten-week period of dialogue on the future governance, funding, planning and delivery of local public services. The Chief Executive has issued a holding response confirming an interest in engagement, subject to direction from the Council today. 5.2 Local Government has an important contribution to make to that discussion through its democratic mandate, experience of delivering public services and knowledge of local places and communities. It is important that emerging proposals are informed by practical experience and recognise the different circumstances of individual Councils and their communities. 5.3 Participation would not amount to endorsement of any specific proposal. The Council can reserve its position until the purpose, evidence, governance, resource implications and local effects of any option are clear. 5.4 Engagement may take place through ministerial discussions, COSLA, neighbouring councils and existing regional or national forums. The forum should fit the subject and avoid unnecessary additional governance. Where wider engagement is proposed, the range of voices should reflect communities, public bodies, the third sector, business, trade unions and relevant rural and urban interests. 5.5 The Council Leader and Chief Executive have also been invited to a Public Service Reform Summit on 30 September 2026. The Council’s debate will help inform their contribution and the involvement of other officers or elected members in related discussions.
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6 COSLA position 6.1 Following its meeting with the First Minister, COSLA confirmed that local government will engage constructively in the proposed dialogue on public service reform. Participation does not, however, imply support for any predetermined structure or transfer of responsibilities. 6.2 Its position is that reform should be developed jointly by local and national government, informed by evidence and focused on improving outcomes rather than reorganising institutions. It advocates a flexible approach that reflects Scotland’s different places and communities, with services delivered locally wherever possible, regionally where greater scale adds value, and nationally only where there is a clear benefit. It also stresses the need to protect local democratic accountability. 6.3 Social care and social work are central to COSLA’s position. It considers that these services should remain within local government, accountable to local communities, and operate as an equal partner to the NHS. Reform should recognise their wider role in promoting inclusion, addressing social and structural barriers, and enabling people to exercise choice, control and full participation in their communities. Local government should therefore be an equal partner in shaping any future arrangements. 7. Next steps 7.1 Following the Council’s debate, the Chief Executive will confirm the Council’s position to the Scottish Government and arrange any participation agreed. The response will reflect the feedback provided at this meeting and will make clear that engagement does not constitute support for a specific structural, regional or governance proposals. 7.2 Officers will continue to develop the evidence base and will provide further briefings as Scottish Government proposals become clearer to Council. Any proposal affecting the Council’s powers, functions, governance, funding or responsibilities will be assessed on its merits and, where required, reported to the Council for decision. 8. Impact and Value Assessment 8.1 This report has been classified as not requiring a full Impact and Value Assessment at this time. 9. Conclusion 9.1 The Programme for Government has opened a significant discussion about public service reform and the future of local governance. The immediate question for the Council is how it wishes to engage and what messages should guide those representing its views. Further decisions can be taken when the Scottish Government brings forward more detailed and evidenced proposals.
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10. Background Papers Elected Member Briefing Note: Programme for Government 2026-2031, circulated 8 September 2026