Local government experts met in Edinburgh on 28-29 October to look at devolution and decentralisation challenges faced by councils in European countries that are part of the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth Local Government Forum 2014 European Members’ Meeting took place at the COSLA offices in Edinburgh, hosted by COSLA and the Scottish Government.

The meeting chaired by Mayor Lazaros Savvides, President of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities and CLGF Board member came at a critical time for devolution following the recent referendum on independence in Scotland. Presenters included COSLA Chair Cllr David O’Neill, LGA Chair Cllr David Sparks, Gibraltar Minister Stephen Linares, Dr Marc Sant, President of the Local Councils Association of Malta, President of the Northern Ireland Local Government Association Cllr Dermot Curran and Professor John Curtice from University of Strathclyde.

The Scottish Minister for Local Government Derek MacKay hosted a special session on devolution in Scotland on 28 October at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.