COSLA was established in 1975, but standing up for Scotland's local priorities goes back 800 years when we evolved from the Convention of Royal Burghs- once the oldest representative body in Europe.

Today, we are a councillor-led, cross-party organisation who champions councils’ vital work to secure the resources and powers they need. We work on councils' behalf to focus on the challenges and opportunities they face, and to engage positively with governments and others on policy, funding and legislation.

Every day people rely on the services that local government in Scotland delivers. Together, they spend over £19 billion a year, and employ over 240,000 people- almost 10% of all jobs in Scotland.