Council revokes notice to quit COSLA

Inverclyde Council has reversed its decision to leave the Scottish local government umbrella group, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA).

In February, the council gave COSLA notice to quit after raising concerns about the transfer of decision making and limiting the influence the council could have. Aberdeen, Glasgow, Renfrewshire, Dumfries and Galloway and South Lanarkshire Councils have also indicated they plan to leave next year.

Inverclyde’s council leader Stephen McCabe said: “We raised our concerns earlier this year and COSLA has responded to those. 

“Our notice to quit was a requirement of our membership but we made clear at the time that the door was open for the council to return. We have decided to do that and the council will confirm that we will remain a member of the organisation.”

In a report to Inverclyde’s full council meeting, it was highlighted that COSLA has issued a revised constitution which highlights that there is no ‘hierarchy’ between the convention and the leaders on decision making. Councillors have now decided to remove the notice to quit, which gave COSLA one year's notice.

Inverclyde’s annual membership fees to COSLA are £60,000.