Single Authority Models: Publication on Progress
This document describes how Single Authority Models might support place-based strategic planning and service delivery to meet local needs more effectively. It also includes an overview of the approaches being taken in three rural and islands authority areas.
Policy Aim
Single Authority Models (SAMs) will better enable preventative place-based strategic planning and service delivery of key public services to more effectively meet local need and help ensure long-term financial sustainability. Decisions will enhance democratic accountability by being taken at the level closest to the people they affect, in line with the principle of subsidiarity and our ambition to devolve decision-making.
Our initial focus is the potential to improve health and care outcomes by supporting earlier intervention, reducing duplication across functions, and enabling more coordinated planning for fragile rural services. In remote and island contexts, these opportunities are critical to the long‑term sustainability of all public services and equity of access.