On November 11th 2024, COSLA hosted a meeting of the EU Committee of the Regions in the COSLA Conference Centre in Edinburgh.

The Committee of the Regions has set up a Contact Group with local and regional authorities in the UK to maintain political dialogue and exchange on impacts arising from the UK leaving the EU. A number of elected members from across Europe and the UK attended the meeting, which was jointly organised by COSLA, Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament. This collaboration demonstrates our shared commitment across government in Scotland to continue positive EU relations.

COSLA President Cllr Shona Morrison opened the meeting alongside the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture Angus Robertson MSP. Clare Adamson MSP presented recent committee work on the impacts of new trading arrangements in Scotland and Irene Oldfather discussed the role of civil society in shaping the EU/UK relationship.

Attendees also reflected on past achievements and priorities for future work. Currently there is no formal role for local government to oversee developments related to EU/UK relations and therefore COSLA is a keen to continue working with the Committee of the Regions to monitor change.

Speaking shortly after the event COSLA’s President, Councillor Shona Morrison, said:

“As President of COSLA, it has been a pleasure to host this meeting of the Committee of the Regions UK Contact Group at COSLA’s Conference Centre in Edinburgh today.

“We have always enjoyed a good relationship with the Committee of the Regions, and being able to come together in this forum really demonstrates our shared ambition across government and society in Scotland to continue to strengthen our already positive relations with our colleagues across Europe.

“It also reflects our recent agreement to enhance partnership working with Scottish Government – the Verity House Agreement, designed to strengthen joint working between local and Scottish Government and create a new basis for working together as equals.

“I firmly believe that Local Government in Scotland has a positive contribution to make to our shared future and that this Group represents one of the best ways we can continue to engage with our partners.” [END]

Further information

Find out more about COSLA’s work in Europe here: COSLA in Europe | COSLA