Overview
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has been committed for many years to the reform of Public Services in the Western Isles. Working closely with Scottish Ministers, Scottish Government, other Councils and public service colleagues, the Comhairle has developed models for Public Service Reform that will maximise positive outcomes for our communities, improve democratic accountability at a local level, and at the same time combine our resources, and improve delivery of public services and the efficiency of the public sector generally.
Cllr Paul Steele, Leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, said:
“Public Services in the Western Isles have seen disproportionate and damaging reductions in funding for a sustained period. In the last 10 years Comhairle nan Eilean Siar alone has suffered a budget reduction of 12%. To ensure that the Comhairle and other public sector organisations continue delivering services to our communities there needs to be change.
“Alongside continued lobbying to Scottish Government for improved and fair financial settlements, which reflect the needs and aspirations of our varied communities, the Comhairle views Public Service Reform as the principal route to achieve this required change. By bringing services and systems under a single authority model, we can make positive improvements to the quality of services we deliver to the public.”
Scottish Government’s Commitment to Public Service Reform
The Scottish Government has outlined a commitment to reform Public Services in Scotland. They are undertaking a programme of Public Service Reform to ensure public services are inclusive, sustainable, and effective in improving people's outcomes.
The Scottish Government’s approach to reform is supported by advances in digital technology, greater integration, effective partnerships, and the expectation that all services will work collaboratively to address the problems facing people and communities which cannot be meaningfully and effectively tackled by one organisation working alone.
Public Service Reform in the Western Isles - Single Authority Models
Public services in the Western Isles are planned, resourced and delivered by several organisations at present, including: CNES; NHS Western Isles; HHP; HIE; Police; Fire and Rescue Services; and Coastguard.
These services can be, and mostly are, undertaken locally, but the decision-making on their direction and resourcing is often determined elsewhere and at other times not practically or directly accountable to the local public.
A Single Authority Model, in its final shape, would look to have all services combined into one ‘umbrella’ model which in turn would help improve efficiency, pool resources, streamline bureaucracy and improve accountability at a local level. The people of the Western Isles should have local representation, and accountability, for all aspects of the strategic direction and performance of public services.
Local ‘whole-system’ decision-making by accountable decision-makers should result in improved decisions, as there would be better local knowledge of what is required, what local priorities are, where resources should best be deployed and the existing strengths and weaknesses of the local system. In addition, ultimately the decision makers would be fully and transparently accountable to the community in which they live.
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s PSR Milestones
Programme for Government 2025 to 2026
In the 2025/ 2026 Programme for Government First Minister, John Swinney MSP, outlined Scottish Government’s commitment to Public Service Reform:
“We will also make it easier for communities to make decisions about the places they know best and empower local systems to integrate and transform services in line with local priorities.
“As part of the conclusion of our joint review of local governance with COSLA, by the end of the Parliament, we will publish: preferred models for Single Authority Models in Argyll and Bute, Orkney and Western Isles that have been developed jointly by local government and health and enable a shift towards prevention. This will include a plan and timeline for implementation, with at least one area transitioning to shadow arrangements.”
In October 2024, the Minister for Public Finance, Ivan Mckee MSP and the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP wrote in a letter to the Comhairle that the Western Isles were at the ‘vanguard of local governance reform’ and in June 2025 the Comhairle was awarded a maximum of £300,000 of funding from the Invest to Save Fund to progress the Comhairle’s work on Public Service Reform.
Locality Meetings
In June 2025, the first Locality Meetings took place between local partners and Scottish Government to commence discussions on moving forward a Single Authority Model in the Western Isles.
The Comhairle has also arranged and supported two series of community engagement events, at which the Leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has travelled to various communities and community councils, to discuss policies the Comhairle is developing, including Single Authority Models. The idea of Single Authority Models was met with substantial positivity; significantly, across the whole Western Isles.
Related Information
- A Single Authority Model for the Western Isles
- The Christie Commission Report
- Frequently Asked Questions