Circumlocution Offices
The role of COSLA - the 'voice' of Scottish local government - is coming under close scrutiny again as the Scottish Government considers new funding arrangements for schools.
At the moment public funds are passed from the Scottish Government to local councils - and councils then distribute the monies in accordance with a national funding forumla - agreed by COSLA and its member councils.
But a new report has suggested that this process is unwieldy and cumbersome - and that better results could be achieved by cutting out the 'middle man' so to speak.
And having a more direct, two-way relationship between Scotland's schools - and the Scottish government.
Now this will cause alarm in the Circumlocution Offices - currently dealing with such matters at COSLA and its member councils.
Expect to hear any day now - now these plans will undermine Scottish education, local democracy - blah, blah blah - blah, blah, blah.
If COSLA doesn't realise that it has to up its game - become more relevant to what's going on in Scottish civic society - then it is going to slowly wither on the vine.
And that is precisely what is happening now.
Exactly what added value does the 'squeezed middle' - bring to the table these days?
Not a lot - as Paul Daniels might say.
The reality is that COSLA has painted itself into a corner - and an unattractive role as Scotland's staunchest defender - of the status quo.
At the moment public funds are passed from the Scottish Government to local councils - and councils then distribute the monies in accordance with a national funding forumla - agreed by COSLA and its member councils.
But a new report has suggested that this process is unwieldy and cumbersome - and that better results could be achieved by cutting out the 'middle man' so to speak.
And having a more direct, two-way relationship between Scotland's schools - and the Scottish government.
Now this will cause alarm in the Circumlocution Offices - currently dealing with such matters at COSLA and its member councils.
Expect to hear any day now - now these plans will undermine Scottish education, local democracy - blah, blah blah - blah, blah, blah.
If COSLA doesn't realise that it has to up its game - become more relevant to what's going on in Scottish civic society - then it is going to slowly wither on the vine.
And that is precisely what is happening now.
Exactly what added value does the 'squeezed middle' - bring to the table these days?
Not a lot - as Paul Daniels might say.
The reality is that COSLA has painted itself into a corner - and an unattractive role as Scotland's staunchest defender - of the status quo.
