Local government organisations: list

COSLA

The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) was formed in 1975 to act as an interface between local authorities and central government. It also acts as the employers' association for local authorities, negotiating on conditions of services with trade unions, on behalf of local authority employees. All of Scotland's 32 councils are members of COSLA.

SOLACE

There is also a range of organisations representing the interests of particular professional groupings within Scottish local government. These include the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers (SOLACE), a membership organisation that represents local government Chief Executives and senior managers. Its members in Scottish local authorities belong to its Scottish branch.

Organisations for local government professionals

Other professional organisations representing the interests of professional sectors in local government include:

• ACES – Association of Chief Estates Surveyors and Property Managers in the Public Sector (ACES)
• ADES – Association of Directors of Education in Scotland
• AEA – Association of Electoral Administrators
• ALACHO – Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers
• ALGAO – Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers
• CIEH – Chartered Institute of Environmental Health
• CIPFA – Chartered Institute of Public Finance Accountants
• CLDMS – Community Learning and Development Managers Scotland
• HOPS – Heads of Planning Scotland (formerly the Scottish Society of Directors of Planning)
• IRRV – Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation
• LABSS – Local Authority Building Standards Scotland
• LARIA – Local Authority Research and Intelligence Association
• REHIS – Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland
• SLACIAG – Scottish Local Authority Chief Internal Auditors Group
• SLAED – Scottish Local Authorities' Economic Development Group
• SCOTSS – Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland
• SCOTS – Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland
• SOCITM – Society of IT Managers
• SOCOEHS – Society of Chief Officers of Environmental Health in Scotland
• SOLAR – Society of Local Authority Lawyers and Administrators in Scotland
• SWS – Social Work Scotland (formerly Association of Directors of Social Work (ADSW))
• VOCAL – Voice of Culture and Leisure Managers in Scotland