Tributes as Cosla head steps down

The First Minister has hailed the “huge service” performed by the outgoing head of Scotland’s local government body.

Councillor Pat Watters is stepping down as the president of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla).

Alex Salmond, who addressed the organisation’s annual conference, stressed the importance of councils, saying their work was “essential to the quality of life in all of our communities”.

The conference in St Andrews will be Mr Watters’ last as Cosla president. Mr Salmond said his 11 years in the post had been “momentous times for Scotland and Scottish local government”.

The First Minister added that Mr Watters had been “heavily involved in far-reaching initiatives which will have a long-lasting and beneficial impact on Scottish public life”, highlighting his involvement in the Christie Commission, which examined how public services could best be delivered.