Accounts Commission

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.

Scotland’s councils have increased reserves over the last year but must address the impacts of an overall reduction in funding and ongoing challenges caused by Covid-19.

Moray Council has made progress in some important areas to address financial stability and having plans in place to tackle poor performing services, although challenges remain as it seeks to deliver strategic change, the Accounts Commission has said.

A report recently published by the Accounts Commission on the issues facing local authority housing benefit services across Scotland has demonstrated the good work taking place in West Lothian to help some of its most vulnerable residents. The report highlighted the unprecedented challenges and addi

Falkirk Council’s leaders need to urgently make and implement big decisions about how to deliver sustainable services and make significant and necessary savings having stalled progress over the past three years, according to the Accounts Commission. The independent body that holds local c

Andrew Cowie, a member of the Accounts Commission, discusses future reporting on the performance of Scotland’s housing benefit services. Every year, Scotland’s councils pay out £1.4 billion in housing benefit. Council benefit services are a lifeline service to many needing vital he