Where power lies

It might not have grabbed the same number of headlines as questions about what might happen to the NHS and which currency we could use in the result of a Yes vote, but nonetheless, local government has remained an important factor in the independence debate. Often wrongly seen as the somewhat unloved and overlooked cousin of central government, councils have a huge responsibility over the lives of people, from schools and roads to care for the elderly. However, as the economic downturn continues to bite, councils are faced with an increasingly difficult task as budgets shrink, savings must be made and demand continues to grow.

While politicians and activists have spent the past two and a half years wrangling over whether Scotland should remain part of the United Kingdom or not, councils have been quietly getting on with the job at hand. However, despite this, local government is an important part of the puzzle. Regardless of which way the vote goes, politicians have promised local authorities a myriad of proverbial carrots, in a bid to secure their support. As councils employ over 260,000 people in Scotland and spend around £12bn annually, they can’t be overlooked.
Last year, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said an independent Scotland would enshrine the powers of councils in a written constitution. 

She added: “The role of Scottish local authorities should be entrenched in a written constitution – a democratic settlement that only independence offers. Such constitutional protection is mainstream in developed democracies such as Germany, Denmark, and Sweden – once again, it is the UK which is the exception. 

“We all love Scotland equally, and this is not a competition about who is most Scottish – if it was, we would all win. It is rather a contest of ideas about what is the best future of Scotland, and I hope you agree that the case for Yes is a positive and attractive one.”

Meanwhile, Scottish Labour launched their proposals to strengthen devolution at the party’s annual conference in March this year. Powers for a Purpose advocated the application of ‘double devolution’ so local authorities recognise the power of communities. On a wider basis, the document says powers will be transferred back to local authorities from central government on a case-by-case basis to allow local preferences and priorities to be given effect. In addition, a future Labour government, following a No vote, would work with the three island authorities to extend their powers in the fields of renewable energy, community planning and economic development.

Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont added: “The commission has worked hard to ensure that our proposals are consistent with Scotland remaining strong in the United Kingdom but also give us the flexibility to do things differently where we want to. I believe it will make our parliament more accountable and more progressive. We also want to see power devolved from Holyrood down to local government and our communities.”

The Scottish Conservative’s Strathclyde Commission said consideration of Scotland’s constitutional future must embrace devolution and decentralisation within Scotland, as well as Scotland’s relationship with the rest of the UK. It also stated that initiatives such as city deals, enhanced local accountability of public services and public servants, and other means of revitalising local democracy are essential to good governance in Scotland. Finally, it said powers over matters such as planning controls should be driven down to the lowest possible level of community government.

The Liberal Democrats want local authorities to be able to raise around half the money they spend locally in order to improve accountability and local power. The Lib Dems also said councils should be empowered to set the business rate poundage. The Scottish Greens called for a move towards much smaller units of government that would be able to raise the majority of their funding locally. The party said the independence debate was an opportunity to promote wider ideas of decentralising power within Scotland and protecting the status of local government in a written constitution. 

In the past year, Scotland’s three island communities have been working successfully to secure more powers, regardless of the referendum result. A raft of measures have been promised by the Scottish Government if there is a Yes vote, which would allow Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Orkney and Shetland Councils greater control over their local economies and natural environment. Meanwhile, the Westminster Government launched a 10-point plan for the islands, which also offered more to these three councils. 

When Scots go to the polls in a couple of days’ time, they will be making a hugely important decision for themselves and their communities. What is hopeful is regardless of the result, thought is being given to the idea we should be living in a less centralised country where power is devolved down to the people. In the aftermath of 18 September, let’s hope politicians don’t forget their promises to local government.