FIRST Minister Alex Salmond has paid tribute to departing Cosla president Pat Watters at the organisation’s annual conference in St Andrews.
During his closing speech this afternoon, Alex Salmond paid tribute to Mr Watters’ 11 years as head of Scotland’s local authority body. Describing local government as “essential to the quality of life in all our communities”, the First Minister thanked him for his “huge service” to the nation.
Mr Salmond said:
“Local government is essential to the quality of life in all of our communities, and this is the last Cosla annual conference at which Pat Watters will be president.
“The eleven years of his tenure have been momentous times for Scotland and Scottish local government.
“Pat has never sought parliamentary office. In that sense, he is one of a particular and much valued breed of public servants – Jim McCabe springs to mind as another. Although they would have prospered at Holyrood or Westminster, they have instead committed themselves to local government and in doing so, they have performed a huge service to their local areas and to the nation.”
