News article

Robertson, the privately owned portfolio of individual companies working in construction, investment, development and facilities management will sponsor this week's COSLA conference in St Andrews.

Alex Salmond MSP, First Minister of Scotland will join COSLA President Councillor Pat Watters CBE in opening next week's COSLA and Improvement Service Annual Conference which takes place in St Andrew's Fife from 3-5 March.

As well as the opening speeches from the First Minister and COSLA President the Conference will hear thoughts from the four main political parties in Scotland around re-shaping older people's care into the future against a context of declining public spending.

Conference will also hear keynote speeches from John Swinney MSP Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, Sir Jackie Stewart OBE and the Rt Hon Charles Kennedy MP, as well as the opportunity for ideas to be put to COSLA's very own "Dragons" in the shape of the COSLA Political group Leaders.

Commenting COSLA President Pat Watters: "It is fair to say that we have never had a more appropriate Conference strap-line: Change, Challenge and Opportunity.

"Looking ahead we all recognise that the next two spending review periods are going to be extremely difficult for the whole of the public sector.

"All of the available forecasts leave little doubt that a real terms reduction to the Scottish Government's budget is coming and that Local Government will have its share of pain. These budget reductions are likely to continue over a number of years and require a longer term strategy to balance the books.

"The Conference will look at some of the issues facing us in relation to this period of real financial restrain.

"One of the most urgent issues that we will factor into these projections relates to Scotland's ageing population - this will provide real challenges for the whole of the Public Sector.

"Given that public finance cannot deliver these increases, it is clear that the current health and social care system is unsustainable. In order to address this issue, we have invited the Health Spokespersons from the four main political parties to set out their vision for change."

Councillor Watters continued: "The great value of the conference is the bringing together of a large number of elected members from different backgrounds into a more informal setting, in order to reach a collective view on the way forward and look at how we address Change, Challenge and Opportunity.

"In addition to the keynote speeches, the Conference provides numerous opportunities for delegates to discuss major political and policy issues and ample opportunity for delegates to have their own views heard during a number of interactive sessions throughout Thursday.

"The Conference will also be a celebration of excellence in the shape of the Annual Excellence Awards Ceremony. The innovation and ingenuity being demonstrated across Scottish local government is proof that local government is in better shape than ever to take on the challenges that lie ahead.

Councillor Watters concluded: "All of us have a commitment to Local Government and share the conviction that enhanced local democracy is the best way to improve the circumstances and outcomes being delivered for local communities. This belief is undoubtedly what drives us and what motivates us, whether locally or nationally to identify through COSLA the next issue that needs to change, be developed or improved on across Scottish local government."