Link: https://news.stv.tv/politics/fewer-councils-but-no-new-powers-gilruth-signals-in-sweeping-plans

Now certain councils aren't working. Perth and Highland mostly. Too big, too city focussed, clear splits needed. And certain councils are too close together and do the same job for a very similar demographic and needs. Looking at Glasgow adjacent mostly, with Falkirk and Kinross, Clackmannanshire, and Midlothian all being candidates for merges.

But 6 seems insane.

Each city should have their own for a start. Then a series of rural/suburban councils. I'd say the 7 cities, and then: Borders and Galloway, Central West, Central East. Fife and Perthshire. Aberdeenshire and Tayside. Highland. Argyll and Island. That's 14. And much more sensible than the current 32 imo

Each then with their town & district councils reinstated for rural areas, aligning to how people identify and live, giving power back to local communities. In the cities, the parish councils can also be beefed up and have a greater say on planning and development

It seems insane to me that living in Caithness, I’m in the same council as Skye 5 hours away.

Yup. But also Newtonmore, and Nairn, and Fort William. District councils make much more sense. Can sit monthly in locally available town halls, making local decisions. Planning permissions, licensing, road improvements, policing priorities, common lands/ground usage. Probably a few other good things that shouldn't reside in Inverness.

And it isn't just Highland where district councils make sense. The needs of Selkirk differ to Gala. The needs of Kirriemuir differ to Arbroath. The needs of Dunfermline vastly differ to Methil.

There's merit to the intention here. Our local democracy was demolished in 1975 and 1996. Let's get some of that back. There is also a downside though: centralisation has been an SNP hallmark since coming to power in Holyrood.

These grand councils need more powers and responsibilities themselves if they are to make any sense. And, I would also have them align to the health boards (of which a single Scottish one is a bad idea too!)