Support grows for Andy Wightman’s Local Government Bill
Support is growing for Scottish Green MSP Andy Wightman’s bid to empower local authorities in Scotland.
Andy Wightman’s proposed European Charter of Local Self-Government (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill would give councils democratic guarantees that many other local legislatures in nations across Europe already enjoy.
The bill has been supported by think tank Reform Scotland following endorsement from local authorities umbrella body COSLA.
Reform Scotland Research Director Alison Payne said: “Devolution transferred power from Westminster to Holyrood, but it also centralised power in Edinburgh. Re-invigoration of local government is badly needed.”
COSLA president Alison Evison said: “The Bill brought forward in May by Andy Wightman is a huge opportunity to improve outcomes, empower citizens and reduce inequalities for the whole of Scotland.”
Responding, Andy Wightman said: “I’m delighted that more voices are backing my attempts to bring Scottish local democracy into line with most normal European nations. The incorporation of the Charter is long overdue having been called for since before the dawn of the Scottish Parliament.
“It’s vital that we protect the political, administrative and financial independence of local government to work in the interests of our communities.”