Recommendation ETI-10: Joint Working Group with COSLA
From Edinburgh Tram Inquiry Report, published 19 September 2023.
Recommendation
In the interests of protecting the public purse and maximising the benefits from public expenditure on major projects, the Scottish Ministers should contemplate establishing a joint working group consisting of officials in Transport Scotland and representatives of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (“COSLA”) to consider how best to take advantage of:
• tolerating the risk of cost overrun that is always a possibility in risk assessments by including all public-sector light rail projects in the portfolio of large projects undertaken by the Scottish Government, including those to be constructed wholly within the geographical boundaries of a single local authority;
• the greater experience within Transport Scotland of managing major projects in the public sector; and
• the necessary skills and expertise within Transport Scotland to deliver the project on time and within budget.
In brief (written by this site)
In November 2023, the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition, Màiri McAllan, stated that the Scottish Government would "consider that recommendation on a case-by-case basis", noting that while its focus on light rail limited applicable cases, evidence regarding the separation of roles also remained relevant (Màiri McAllan response, Nov 2023). The record holds no update since the Scottish Government's response of November 2023 (Màiri McAllan response, Nov 2023).
Sources
AI-generated summary of the record on this page, checked by a second model and automatic checks, 26 Sep 2026. The record below is the sources' own words.
Government response
We will consider that recommendation on a case-by-case basis. The recommendation itself applies only to light rail, so that minimises the cases that it could apply to, but we will absolutely consider it. However, I must again reiterate that the inquiry heard evidence that separation of roles, which took Transport Scotland from being a funder in principle to principal funder, was good governance. I have already quoted some independent witnesses to the inquiry.
How this response relates to the recommendation
Site note: This is the Cabinet Secretary's answer to a member's question after her statement to the Scottish Parliament on 2 November 2023, as recorded in the Official Report.
Delivery
No statement on delivery from Scottish Government has been found in the sources searched (last checked 31 January 2026). This is separate from the response above.
Responsible bodies
Themes and tags
Who has spoken
- Scottish Government
Response