Accounts Commission

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

Dundee City Council has shown effective leadership, good financial management and engagement with communities as it seeks to tackle long-standing issues. Reporting on its performance and progress is clear, with a focus on continuous improvement.

South Ayrshire Council manages its money well and some services are improving, but the pace of change has been too slow, a new report from the Accounts Commission has concluded.

A report from the Accounts Commission, warning of “severe strain” on local authority finances, points to a deepening housing emergency according to Shelter Scotland. According to the Local Government in Scotland Overview 2023, Scotland’s councils must radically change how they

Scotland’s councils must radically change how they operate – particularly how they collaborate with partners – if they are to improve and maintain services to their communities, the latest report by the Accounts Commission has found. According to the Local Government in Scotla

Stephen Boyle, the Auditor General for Scotland and Sheila Gunn, member of the Accounts Commission, have called for action on the levels of homelessness in Scotland. Having a safe, secure, affordable home is not a luxury. It’s a fundamental necessity.

Many people are waiting longer for housing benefit claims to be processed as services across Scotland’s councils face rising workloads, fewer staff and high sickness absence levels, according to the Accounts Commission. The independent body that holds councils to account says councils need to

Councils across Scotland faced significant financial challenges during 2021/22 and are now entering the most difficult budget setting context seen for many years. Increasingly difficult choices about spending priorities will need to be made.

The Accounts Commission, the independent body that holds councils to account, has published a report raising concerns about the need for necessary improvements and strong leadership from councillors at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. Poor housing availability is a key issue and the area has the most

Longer-term joint planning is needed to address child poverty in Scotland, according to a new report published by Audit Scotland. The Scottish Government’s policies and spending remain more focused on helping children out of poverty rather than long-term measures to prevent it. Child poverty h

Councils have a critical role in helping Scotland achieve its national climate change goals, in particular reducing CO2 emissions and adapting and transforming services, according to the Accounts Commission. Climate change must be central and integral to all council activity, it added.

The Accounts Commission said today is not confident that Shetland Islands Council is able to show it is financially sustainable and has urged leaders to increase their pace and focus to deliver urgent change. The independent body that holds councils to account, raised serious concerns about whe

Angus Council has today been praised for reducing the proportion of households in the region experiencing fuel poverty but there is room for further improvement in the critical area of housing.

Scotland’s councils have had a pivotal role in supporting and working with communities as they responded to the impacts of Covid-19 but face an increasingly challenging and complex future, according to the Accounts Commission.