The Scottish government has proposed a significant reduction in the number of local councils, potentially consolidating the current 32 into as few as six regional authorities. These new bodies would focus on key areas such as education, economic growth, and essential services while overseeing numerous community authorities for local issues.
The proposals are currently under review by Holyrood committees and the council umbrella body Cosla, with a public consultation to follow. The plan aims to address budget shortfalls faced by councils and enhance the efficiency of public services.