Accounts Commission

With high performing services, excellent engagement with local communities and strong relationships with key partners, East Renfrewshire Council is an exemplar to others. In a new report, the Accounts Commission says there is a real focus on targeting the needs of local people, using data to gain a

Scotland's local authorities are grappling with significant financial strain, necessitating urgent transformation to ensure sustainability, the Accounts Commission has revealed. While councils managed to bridge a £759 million budget deficit in 2023/24, this required deeper cuts and reliance on

The Accounts Commission has commended Scottish Borders Council for its continuously improving and forward-thinking approach to making savings and tackling recruitment challenges.

The Accounts Commission has called on the City of Edinburgh Council to continue to engage with and act on the views of its residents and communities as it considers options to make the significant savings needed.

Councils and key partners must significantly increase the pace and scale of major changes if they are to protect vital public services, a new report from the Accounts Commission has concluded.

Clackmannanshire Council has demonstrated continuous improvement on key areas over the last five years but must now urgently address its financial situation, the local authority watchdog has concluded.

Audit Scotland and the Accounts Commission have called on all public bodies to deliver on their responsibilities to ensure everyone can access the services they need as more key services move online.

Malcolm Bell, member of the Accounts Commission, discusses the challenges facing local councils in Scotland, including financial pressures, increasing demand, and the need for transformation in service delivery, and how they can be addressed through effective leadership, collaboration, and community

As Scotland's councils are increasingly faced with tough budget decisions, the role of the chief financial officer (CFO) is critical in ensuring financial sustainability and stability in local government, writes Jo Armstrong – chair of Audit Scotland's Accounts Commission. Our Spring budget br

Scotland’s councils faced a collective gap of up to £585 million between the money needed to deliver services and the money available when setting their budgets this year, the Accounts Commission has warned.

Falkirk Council has made significant improvements over the last two years to how it works but now it must focus on tackling a £62 million budget gap, the Accounts Commission has said. In a new report, the watchdog highlighted improvements in how the council works together, in setting a clear v

Orkney Islands Council has been told it must shift its focus to ensuring its services remain financially sustainable, as it faces a significant funding gap of £27 million over the next four years. In a new report, the Accounts Commission highlighted that Orkney Islands Council faces parti

An agreement between the Scottish Government and councils to secure a sustainable, longer-term funding arrangement is now urgent to continue to deliver local services, the Accounts Commission said today.

Dumfries and Galloway Council has strong leadership and sound financial management but it now needs to deliver its plans to reform local services, keeping residents better informed on performance and progress, according to the local authority watchdog.

Angela Leitch, member of the Accounts Commission, discusses the Accounts Commission's future reporting on social care. At their best, social care services enable people to not just live the life they choose, but to thrive. The services provided by councils, private and third sector organisations, in