Don Peebles

Baffled over Scots’ ballot

27 April 2012 | Don Peebles

When Scotland goes to the polls next week, voters may be confused about whether they are deciding on local or national issues.  In some cases the electorate is being asked to vote on manifesto promises that can’t in fact be delivered locally Read more

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Sustainability lessons for Scotland

6 March 2012 | Don Peebles

Many distinctive policies have been successfully introduced by the devolved Scottish Parliament. So why is Scotland looking to England for a sustainable funding model? Read more

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Scotland’s late shift

24 February 2012 | Don Peebles

Public bodies in Scotland have been encouraged to adopt preventative spending and seek to improve outcomes. But success may take some time and the called-for decisive shift may turn out to be a gradual one Read more

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The collaboration conundrum

9 February 2012 | Don Peebles

Scotland wants its public bodies to save money by working more closely together and in partnership with the private sector. But can savings really be made this way? US research suggests they can Read more

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The £33bn question

25 January 2012 | Don Peebles

Will Scotland’s Budget allocate resources in the best possible way? It seems unlikely when a fixed formula is used to determine spending in both health and local government Read more

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Referendum repercussions

10 January 2012 | Don Peebles

Could the spat over the timing of an independence referendum adversely affect discussion of the Scotland Bill and prevent inclusion of more appropriate borrowing arrangements in the legislation? Read more

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Scottish police and fire service reform: some tough questions

7 November 2011 | Don Peebles

The Scottish Government’s ambitious plans to create single, national police and fire services for Scotland are not without risk and important questions need to be answered

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Outcomes are in, inputs are out

20 September 2011 | Don Peebles

Politicians need to grasp the nettle and introduce an outcomes-based approach to enable longer-term financial planning for local government in Scotland Read more...

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Scottish manifestos: do they add up? by Don Peebles

20 April 2011 | Don Peebles

The main political party manifestos have now been issued in advance of May’s Scottish parliamentary elections. Read more...

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A brave approach for Scotland, by Don Peebles

7 April 2011 | Don Peebles

The silence is deafening.  Amidst the gently developing election ‘noise’ in Scotland where party manifestos are now beginning only slowly to emerge, a little known independent inquiry (the Christie Commission) is quietly carrying out its work on the future delivery of public services. Read more...

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