Scotland’s councils face “significant challenges” managing their finances as rising demand for services and falling income could results in a combined funding gap of £553m by 2018/19, according to a new report from the Accounts Commission. In its financial overview published today, the local
Accounts Commission
Angus Council needs to increase the pace of change if it is to meet its £26.5 million savings target, an Accounts Commission report says today. The local government spending watchdog said the council has made progress since 2010, setting out a clear vision, modernising its business processes and im
Major improvements have been made at South Ayrshire Council over the last two years since a critical audit voiced concerns about significant weaknesses in its management, the Accounts Commission has said. A new report by the watchdog charts how the local authority has responded to a Commission asses
Budget reductions mean starker choices ahead for Scotland’s councils which will not be met simply by continuing to cut staff and services, according to a new report. The Accounts Commission's annual overview of local government charts a 5 per cent drop in revenue funding in the next financial year
A lack of national leadership and clear planning is preventing the wider change urgently needed if Scotland’s health and social care services are to adapt to increasing pressures, according to a report. The increasing numbers of frail, older people with complex health needs is among the challenges
The City of Edinburgh Council is on a "far sounder financial footing" than a year ago after making considerable progress towards balancing its books, according to a report from the Accounts Commission. The local authority watchdog raised significant concerns in December 2014 over the council's finan
The Accounts Commission has urged Scotland’s local authorities to further improve the way they manage major projects like schools, roads, housing and flood prevention. Over the last three years councils spent £7 billion on capital investment - more than half of Scottish public sector capital expe
Argyll and Bute Council has made solid improvement but needs to build on this for the future, according to a new report from the Accounts Commission. Published today, the report by the local government watchdog welcomes progress since 2013 in the council's decision making, scrutiny, governance, and
Significant risks must be addressed if a major reform of health and social care is to fundamentally change how services are delivered, and improve outcomes for the people who use them, Audit Scotland has warned. Integrating health and social care services is a key Scottish Government policy, focusse
The Moray Council needs to “significantly increase” the pace of change and improvement if it is to build on the progress made over the last two years, according to the Accounts Commission. A report published by the watchdog today looks at developments since a 2013 audit on how the council was me
The Accounts Commission has urged Falkirk Council to do more to achieve £46 million of cuts over the next three years. A report into the financial running of the local authority found it delivered a good standard of services, particularly in education.
Aberdeen City Council has improved how it is run in recent years and has plans for further changes but a great deal more work is needed to deliver these, according to the Accounts Commission. A new report out today examines progress at the council following changes in management structures and polit
East Dunbartonshire Council risks the long-term sustainability of its services if it does not close the gap between the council’s ambitions and delivering these on the ground, the local government spending watchdog has warned. In a report published today, the Accounts Commission says the council d