Accounts Commission

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

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.