Aberdeen City Council Votes To Join New Local Government Representative Body

Aberdeen City Council has voted to join a new local government representative body.

The Scottish Local Government Partnership (SLGP) is also expected to comprise Glasgow City Council, South Lanarkshire Council and Renfrewshire Council, but they are yet to take their formal decisions to join.

The four local authorities are quitting Cosla, the body set up to represent all of Scotland's councils, to negotiate directly with the Scottish Government.

Glasgow will make its decision on whether to join SLPG tomorrow, South Lanarkshire will decide on March 11 and Renfrewshire on March 23.

Aberdeen City Council agreed to note its Cosla membership would terminate on April 1, and that the council will join the SLGP and play an active role in its development.

At its final shadow meeting in Glasgow last month, the SLGP agreed to appoint Aberdeen City Council leader Jenny Laing as convener of the partnership.

Councillor Laing said today: "We believe the SLGP will be a significant new voice in local government. While representing its members, it will not seek unanimity but will be founded on the principle of local decision-making.

"It will recognise that local people and local councils are best placed to take decisions about the issues which affect them. It will support its members in their leadership role to deliver community empowerment.

"It will also provide a new platform for communication and lobbying with various levels of Government, which I am confident will treat the SLGP as an equal partner.''