2.3 Partnership working

Local government in Scotland operates in a landscape where no single organisation can deliver the outcomes that communities need on its own. Councils are expected (and in certain cases are legally required) to work in partnership with other public bodies. This collaborative approach reflects the reality that challenges, such as health, poverty and economic wellbeing, cross-organisational boundaries and require joint solutions.

Councils can also create Arm’s Length External Organisations (ALEOs) to deliver specific services and functions such as leisure, culture, property management or economic development. ALEOs are separate legal bodies – they are often charities or companies – but they remain accountable to the council for delivering their objectives.

There are many partnership bodies that a councillor can be appointed to as a representative of the council. The two major partnerships are Community Planning Partnerships and Integration Authorities.

Community Planning Partnerships

Every council in Scotland is part of a Community Planning Partnership (CPP), a statutory body that brings together councils, NHS boards, police, fire services, colleges, other public bodies, the third sector and community representatives to plan and deliver better local outcomes. A CPP’s purpose is to focus partners’ collective efforts on improving services and reducing inequality across the local area.

CPPs give councillors a role in helping to align local priorities, championing community voices and ensuring that collaboration across public service organisations leads to meaningful change for communities.

Integration Authorities

Under the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014, each council and NHS board must jointly establish an Integration Authority (IA) to plan and fund integrated health and social care services. Most areas use an Integration Joint Board (IJB) as the body corporate model, whereas in the Highlands an Integration Joint Monitoring Committee (IJMC) is used.

IAs bring together councillors, NHS board members, third sector organisations, professional advisers, carers and service‑user voices to shape local health and social care strategy and investment.

Some councillors are appointed to decision-making roles on an IA, which brings with it additional responsibilities that will require time and personal resilience.

Councillors who are not appointed to such roles will still make decisions about how much funding the IA receives from the council, as well as scrutinising how health and social care services are planned and delivered effectively to meet the needs of communities.

With social care being one of the biggest areas of expenditure for councils, and with demand for services increasing, integration of health and social care will continue to be a major challenge for councillors.