Future Local Lab
Local Government ExplainedHolyrood Elections 2026 and the future of local government four: economic development
Paolo Vestri, LGIU Scotland Content Commissioner
Table of Contents
- Summary
- Introduction – Local Government’s role in economic development
- What Scottish local government needs from the next Scottish Government: a SLAED perspective
- The main challenges facing local authorities
- SLAED’s priorities for the next Scottish Government
- Looking ahead
- What do the party manifestos say?
- Certainty over long term funding with flexible, multi-year funding
- Recognise, strengthen and embed council’s role in supporting local and regional economies
- Simplify and streamline the policy making and funding, with local government having flexibility to deliver the place-based approach required to regenerate our cities, towns and communities
- Invest in the workforce and local government capacity and capability
- Conclusion