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Since 2021, Scottish Ministers have regularly met with Council Leaders, including Orkney Islands Council, to discuss a range of issues of mutual interest.

The First Minister and previous First Minister have also committed to meeting with the COSLA Presidential team biannually to discuss key priorities and issues for local government. The First Minister and previous First Ministers have also delivered keynote speeches at the COSLA Annual Conference since 2021.

Since 2021, Scottish Ministers have regularly met with Council Leaders, including Argyll and Bute Council, to discuss a range of issues of mutual interest.

The First Minister and previous First Minister have also committed to meeting with the COSLA Presidential team biannually to discuss key priorities and issues for local government. The First Minister and previous First Ministers have also delivered keynote speeches at the COSLA Annual Conference since 2021.

NHS Borders are escalated to Level 3 of the NHS Support and Intervention Framework for finance. To date NHS Borders have £20m outstanding brokerage from years 2019-20 to 2022-23.

Scottish Government continue to work with NHS Borders to create a credible and realistic path to balance. This is an ongoing exercise due to ongoing pay negotiations, high inflation and increased demand for services, but the Board will be expected to repay all outstanding brokerage when it has reached financial sustainability.

Since 2021, Scottish Ministers have regularly met with Council Leaders, including Highland Council, to discuss a range of issues of mutual interest.

The First Minister and previous First Minister have also committed to meeting with the COSLA Presidential team biannually to discuss key priorities and issues for local government. The First Minister and previous First Ministers have also delivered keynote speeches at the COSLA Annual Conference since 2021.

Since 2021, Scottish Ministers have regularly met with Council Leaders, including Moray Council, to discuss a range of issues of mutual interest.

The First Minister and previous First Minister have also committed to meeting with the COSLA Presidential team biannually to discuss key priorities and issues for local government. The First Minister and previous First Ministers have also delivered keynote speeches at the COSLA Annual Conference since 2021.

The most recent Instrumental Music Survey published in December 2023 shows the number of pupils participating in free instrumental music tuition is at a record high since the survey began (61,175).

Local Authorities are responsible for the delivery of free instrumental music tuition in their schools. They review the instruments offered, and therefore instructors required, on a regular basis to ensure this meets pupil demand in terms of what sort of instrument young people want to learn and the needs of schools.

Since 2021, Scottish Ministers have regularly met with Council Leaders, including Shetland Islands Council, to discuss a range of issues of mutual interest.

The First Minister and previous First Minister have also committed to meeting with the COSLA Presidential team biannually to discuss key priorities and issues for local government. The First Minister and previous First Ministers have also delivered keynote speeches at the COSLA Annual Conference since 2021.

NHS Borders are at Level 3 of the NHS Support and Intervention Escalation Framework and the Board continue to receive tailored support from Scottish Government

Under the terms of this tailored support, the Scottish Government Financial Delivery Unit maintain frequent contact with NHS Borders Executives regarding its financial position. At present, these conversations are focussed on securing a credible path to balance and, once this has been established and on course to be achieved, conversations will commence on brokerage repayment.

NHS Scotland is facing an unprecedented financial challenge, but all NHS Boards continue to have a statutory responsibility to reach a break-even financial position.

NHS Borders delivered a deficit outturn in 2023-24 and continue to manage financial pressures in 2024-25. Scottish Government are working with NHS Borders to create a credible and realistic path to balance and, once that path balance has been achieved, the Board would start to repay outstanding brokerage.

The Scottish Government has not provided guidance on this matter. It is for Health Boards to ensure that NHS pharmaceutical services are in place to meet the needs of their local population.