The term Public Service Reform covers all work to change public services in Scotland and improve the way they operate. This can include digital transformation, improved efficiency or increased partnership and engagement between organisations.
What is public service reform?
What is a Single Authority Model?
Public Services in the Western Isles are delivered by several different organisations. A Single Authority Model would bring these services under one elected ‘umbrella’ organisation. In practice this could bring responsibility for services such as education, roads, waste management, public health, primary health and social care and housing under one organisation.
Why does the Comhairle want to reform island public services?
The Comhairle wants to improve public services for our communities. The Comhairle has developed models for Public Service reform that should maximise positive outcomes for the people of the Western Isles, improve democratic accountability at a local level, combine our scant resources to ensure best value and at the same time improve the efficiency of systems and bureaucracy. At its heart, a Single Authority Model is about empowering Western Isles communities by giving them more control over public services.
How is the Comhairle funding work on Public Service Reform?
In June 2025 Scottish Government awarded a maximum of £300,000 of funding from the Invest to Save Fund to progress the Comhairle’s work on Public Service Reform. Alongside this, Scottish Government has more allocated funding which will help to research and develop a potential Single Authority Model further.
Is the Comhairle working with other island public service organisations on PSR?
In June 2025, the first formal Locality Meetings took place between local partners and Scottish Ministers and Government to commence discussions on moving forward a Single Authority Model in the Western Isles, building on preparatory work over many years.
Has the Comhairle consulted the public on PSR?
The Comhairle has 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.