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126 <div class="container white PageWrapper"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-lg-8 ArticleText"> <article> <h1 class="HeadingFont">Aberdeenshire Council warns of ‘shockwave’ plans to merge Scottish local authorities</h1> <hr /> <div class="row"> <div class="col-12 col-md-10 col-lg-10"> <div class="authorName"><i class="fas fa-user-circle"></i> <span>By</span> <a href="/authors/kirstie-topp-local-democracy-reporter" > Kirstie Topp - Local Democracy Reporter</a> </div> <div class="clearfixNone"></div> <div class="ArticleDate"><strong><i class="far fa-clock"></i> Published:</strong> 18:00, 24 September 2026</div> </div> </div> <div class="clearfixNone"></div> <hr /> <div id="TopAB"></div> <hr class="HiddenDivider" /> <div class="row no-gutters SocialArticleIcons"> <div class="col-4 col-lg whatsapp"><a href="https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Aberdeenshire Council warns of ‘shockwave’ plans to merge Scottish local authorities - 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<div class="clearfix"></div> <div class="site--wrapper"> <div class="PianoOuter"> <div id="PianoR"></div> <div id="PianoP"></div> </div> <div class="MainCon"> <!-- Article Start --><p>Aberdeenshire Council has pledged to ensure the voices of its communities will be heard during crucial “shockwave” local government reform talks.</p><p>Councillors met at Woodhill House in Aberdeen on Thursday, September 24 to discuss the Programme for Government that was presented at Holyrood on Tuesday.</p><figure><img class="rthmb" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 2048 1362'%3E%3C/svg%3E" alt="Aberdeenshire Council have vowed that people in the region must be heard as part of local government reform." data-root="/_media/img/" data-path="JNJF60Q2HUKHY8PYR3MX.jpg" data-ar="1.50"/><noscript><img src="/_media/img/JNJF60Q2HUKHY8PYR3MX.jpg" alt="Aberdeenshire Council have vowed that people in the region must be heard as part of local government reform."/></noscript><figcaption>Aberdeenshire Council have vowed that people in the region must be heard as part of local government reform.</figcaption></figure><p>It set out a five-year plan covering vital priorities including child poverty, economy and the climate, but it also highlighted reform to the NHS and public services.</p><div class="articlePanel" data-type="Outbrain_InArticle" data-path="" data-stage-ob-contentUrl="https://www.grampianonline.co.uk/news/it-s-about-aberdeenshire-not-politics-council-warn-loca-445881/" data-stage-widget-id="AR_2" data-stage-ob-installation-key="HIGHL2C61B885BJ1MQG62HLP7" data-devices="dtm"></div><p>Under the changes, first announced by First Minister John Swinney before being expanded upon by his deputy Jenny Gilruth, Scotland’s 32 councils could be cut down to between six and 10 regional bodies.</p><p>It could mean up to 160 community-level authorities would be formed, similar to former town, burgh and district councils, to make local decisions on planning applications, licensing, historic environment, sport and leisure.</p><p>The larger regional councils could cover bin collections, housing, transport and most educational policy, as well as economic development.</p><div id="article_panel_Subscribe" class="articlePanel" data-type="Subscribe" data-path="/panels/exco/" data-devices="dtm"></div> <p>A three-month consultation process around the massive overhauls will soon be launched to allow councils to prepare their responses.</p><div class="embed"><div style="width:100%;max-width:800px;box-sizing:border-box;margin:0 auto;background:#FFFFFF;color:#0B1327;font-family:"Poppins",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:15px;line-height:1.5;overflow-wrap:anywhere;"><div style="font-family:"Poppins",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:#0B1327;max-width:600px;margin:0 auto;box-sizing:border-box"><h2 style="font-family:"Playfair Display",Georgia,serif;color:#0B1327;font-size:26px;font-weight:700;margin:0 0 12px 0;line-height:1.2">How council reforms could split your local services</h2><p style="font-size:16px;line-height:1.5;margin:0 0 20px 0">Under Scottish Government proposals, Scotland's 32 local authorities could be replaced by a two-tier system. Here is how control over day-to-day services would be divided.</p><div style="display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:16px;margin-bottom:20px"><div style="flex:1 1 240px;background:#EEE9DC;padding:16px;border-top:4px solid #0B1327;box-sizing:border-box"><p style="margin:0 0 12px 0;font-size:18px"><strong style="font-family:"Playfair Display",Georgia,serif;color:#0B1327">Regional councils</strong><br style=""><span style="font-size:14px;color:#0B1327">6 to 10 bodies</span></p><p style="margin:0;font-size:15px;line-height:1.8">Bin collections<br style="">Housing<br style="">Transport<br style="">Education policy<br style="">Economic development</p></div><div style="flex:1 1 240px;background:#EEE9DC;padding:16px;border-top:4px solid #60A5FA;box-sizing:border-box"><p style="margin:0 0 12px 0;font-size:18px"><strong style="font-family:"Playfair Display",Georgia,serif;color:#0B1327">Community authorities</strong><br style=""><span style="font-size:14px;color:#0B1327">Up to 160 bodies</span></p><p style="margin:0;font-size:15px;line-height:1.8">Planning applications<br style="">Licensing<br style="">Sport and leisure<br style="">Historic environment</p></div></div><div style="border-left:4px solid #0B1327;padding-left:12px"><p style="margin:0;font-size:14px;line-height:1.5;font-style:italic">Aberdeenshire councillors are preparing for a three-month consultation, warning the "shockwave" reforms must protect rural needs and local accountability.</p></div></div><div style="margin-top:16px;font-size:12px;">Sources: Source article</div></div></div><p>Council co-leader Councillor Stewart Adams said the proposed reforms to both health boards and local governance were not just simply “minor adjustments”.</p><p>He explained that they would have “potentially far-reaching changes” to how public services are organised and delivered across the country.</p><span id="teads" class="teads-advert VIUHDG" data-provider="3" data-devices="dtm" data-format="['teads',2,1]"></span> <p>However, the Conservative councillor urged his colleagues to recognise the “opportunities and risks” that come with the planned reforms.</p><p>He noted that while the council wants better outcomes for residents, he wanted any reform to strengthen local accountability, knowledge and decision making.</p><p>The Banff member added: “We cover a range of communities through market towns, fishing and farming, and some of Scotland’s most rural and remote areas.</p><span id="a_mpu2" class="VIUHDG" style="width: 300px; height: 250px;" data-provider="3" data-devices="d" data-format="['mpu2',300,250]"></span> <span id="a_mpu1_tablet" class="VIUHDG" style="width: 300px; height: 250px;" data-provider="3" data-devices="t" data-format="['mpu1',300,250]"></span> <span id="a_mpu1_mobile" class="VIUHDG" style="width: 300px; height: 250px;" data-provider="3" data-devices="m" data-format="['mpu1',300,250]"></span> <p>“We know that solutions that work elsewhere may not work here, that is why it is vital that Aberdeenshire’s voice is clearly heard throughout these consultations.</p><p>“It is an opportunity to influence the future shape of public services in Scotland, to supp
126ort local democracy, protect effective services, recognise rural needs and enable communities to have a meaningful say in the decisions that affect them.”</p><p>Meanwhile, leader of the opposition Councillor Gwyneth Petrie admitted the initial proposition of council reform “caused some shockwaves” and “some concern”.</p><p>The SNP member insisted that the local authority must work together to ensure the best outcome for the region.</p><div id="article_panel_LatestNews" class="articlePanel" data-type="LatestNews" data-path="" data-devices="dtm"></div> <p>She said: “It is important that, instead of reacting instantly with outrage or shock, we take the opportunity to step back, consider the initial proposition and work together to create a response that is clear on what we want to see from local government reform.</p><p>“Our response is not about politics, it is about Aberdeenshire.”</p><p>Councillor Petrie told the chamber that the Scottish Government proposal is similar to how the council already works, with an overarching body and area committees.</p><p>However, she admitted having a “much larger regional board as the umbrella body” gave her some concern, but explained that the consultation process would help ease this worry.</p><span id="a_mpu3" class="VIUHDG" style="width: 300px; height: 250px;" data-provider="3" data-devices="d" data-format="['mpu3',300,250]"></span> <span id="a_mpu2_tablet" class="VIUHDG" style="width: 300px; height: 250px;" data-provider="3" data-devices="t" data-format="['mpu2',300,250]"></span> <span id="a_mpu2_mobile" class="VIUHDG" style="width: 300px; height: 250px;" data-provider="3" data-devices="m" data-format="['mpu2',300,250]"></span> <p>She added: “There is an economic reality that all spheres of government are struggling, and will be looking to transform how they deliver services.</p><p>“We should not be scared of change, but we also should not sit back and let it be done to us.</p><p>“We have to be a leading partner in it.”</p><p>Workshops will now be organised for councillors to share their views and help form a collective view to the reform proposals.</p><span id="a_mpu4" class="VIUHDG" style="width: 300px; height: 250px;" data-provider="3" data-devices="d" data-format="['mpu4',300,250]"></span> <span id="a_mpu3_tablet" class="VIUHDG" style="width: 300px; height: 250px;" data-provider="3" data-devices="t" data-format="['mpu3',300,250]"></span> <span id="a_mpu3_mobile" class="VIUHDG" style="width: 300px; height: 250px;" data-provider="3" data-devices="m" data-format="['mpu3',300,250]"></span> <p>It is expected that Aberdeenshire Council’s response to the consultation will be considered when full council meets again on November 26.</p><p>Chief executive Jim Savege noted the reforms have the potential to influence future governance, decision-making, service delivery and funding arrangements across public services.</p><p>He suggested the local authority approach the discussion “positively and constructively” to get the best outcomes for residents.</p><!-- Article End --> <hr /> 
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