Renfrewshire Council has been recognised for its “clear and ambitious vision” to revitalise the area’s economy and address poverty and inequality.

A report published today by the Accounts Commission, the second of a new type of audit, charts progress since 2006 when the Commission found the council had strong and effective leadership but needed to improve service performance.

The review concluded that improvements have been made since then in the way the local authority plans, manages and carries out its business and is making encouraging progress in the performance of its services.

The audit took place between January and June this year and included interviewing councillors, senior officers, Trade Unions and partner organisations; observing a range of council and committee meetings; reviewing documents and performance data; and conducting focus groups with councillors and officers.

According to the auditors, the council works well with its partners and has successfully brought in innovative ways of providing services at a local level. Continuing to build on engagement with local communities will be an essential part of progress in this area, the review adds.

The report highlights stark inequalities within Renfrewshire - life expectancy for men in Ferguslie is 14 years behind those in Bishopton and there are similar disparities in child welfare and educational achievement. However, it said the council has a clear and ambitious vision to revitalise the area’s economy and address poverty and inequality.

The report notes that changes have recently been made to strengthen previously weak scrutiny arrangements. The Commission urges councillors to make these arrangements work, ensure more constructive political arrangements and make better use of training and development opportunities.

In its findings, the Commission said effective financial management and planning gave Renfrewshire the capacity to deal with funding challenges. This needs to be supported by a workforce strategy. It also urges the council to look at ways of ensuring more transparency and clarity of responsibilities in its relationship with Renfrewshire Leisure which provides a range of services previously run directly by the council.

Christine May, acting deputy chair of the Accounts Commission, said: “Renfrewshire has a sound foundation on which to build.

“Like other councils in Scotland, it has a new minority administration. The challenge for all councillors is to find ways they can work well together and improve the lives of the people of Renfrewshire.”

Responding to the report, council leader Iain Nicolson said: “This is a very positive report which recognises the council’s continuous improvement in how well we deliver services to the public. It recognises the clear vision and ambition for Renfrewshire to revitalise the area’s economy and address issues that cause inequality and the work we do with partners and communities to help shape those services.

“As the leader of the council, it is important we continue work with all political parties to get the best deal for the whole of Renfrewshire. That is why we set up a new Cross Party Sounding Board which includes representatives from all parties and independents and enables open discussion of matters of common interest and cross-party issues. We are committed to a collaborative and consultative culture across the political spectrum.

“This is a fantastic time for Renfrewshire, with Paisley’s shortlisting for UK City of Culture 2021, the £1.13 billion Glasgow City Region City Deal and the ongoing regeneration of Renfrewshire all contributing to a fantastic opportunity to develop the area as an attractive place to live, work, visit and invest in.

“The Cross Party Sounding Board allows the best decisions to be taken for Renfrewshire to continue its ambitions while being fully representative of the needs of its community. At the same time, we recognise the importance of transparency and scrutiny of our work and that’s why we established a new Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Board.

“The report also highlights the challenges ahead, with increasing pressure on funding and impacts from a changing population and welfare reform. Working together with councillors, with partners, businesses and communities, will be vital to shaping and securing the important public services so many of us rely on for the future.”

Councillor Nicolson added that recommendations from the report are already being implemented with a detailed workforce plan in place to ensure staff have the right knowledge and skills to deliver on the council’s future priorities.

Renfrewshire Council chief executive, Sandra Black, said: “The report shows the council continues to improve how we work and I would like to thank all our staff and partners for the work they do every day of the year.

“It recognises the sound financial planning we have in place, but acknowledges, as for all councils, that we will need to find new ways of delivering public services in the future to manage the financial pressures and the change in demand. We will continue to work with our partners and ensure we take the views of communities into account to help shape these services for the future.”