Services performing above national average, Accounts Commission says
Perth & Kinross Council has been praised by the Accounts Commission for delivering quality services that are performing and improving above the national average.
In a Best Value and Community Planning Audit report, published today, the Commission also says that the Council has strong and effective collective leadership, manages its finances very effectively and has made progress in delivering efficiency savings.
The report praises the local authority's strong partnership arrangements with other agencies, which it says is achieving benefits for local communities.
It also recognises that a strong commitment to provide continuously improving services is shared throughout the Council by employees, senior management and elected members.
Councillor Ian Miller, Leader of Perth & Kinross Council said: "We are determined to make Perth & Kinross Council a flagship local authority for Scotland, and the Accounts Commission findings show that we have the vision, the people and the commitment to achieve our aim.
"I welcome this very positive report. It shows that we are delivering on our commitment to provide quality and improving services for the people of Perth and Kinross. And we are already taking action in the areas we need to drive improvement forward.
"We have worked hard, and have had to take some difficult decisions, to get here. Our focus has been and will continue to be on delivering quality services that meet the needs of our communities, and on securing a sustainable future for our area and our people."
The publication of the report follows an audit of the Council carried out by the Accounts Commission in February and March of this year.
The report says that "Perth & Kinross Council demonstrates a strong commitment to Best Value and continuous improvement and an appetite for better services for the area."
It goes on: "The council benefits from strong and effective collective leadership. The Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive work well together in taking forward corporate priorities and are committed to the involvement of strategic partners in improving services for the area. The mature and effective working relationship between political group leaders is a key feature in providing clear strategic direction.
"Financial management is very strong and has continued to improve in recent years."
Council services are performing and improving better than the national average, improvements have been made in services such as education, social work and housing, and should continue to be made in planning and raising attainment, the report notes.
The report highlights the significant challenges faced by the Council in meeting its affordable housing targets, and in responding to the additional demands anticipated from high population growth projections.
Councillor Ian Miller added: "We are aware ourselves of the considerable challenges we face and the areas in which we need to focus our efforts to improve. 'Planning for growth' are our watch words, whether in meeting the needs of our increasing population or increasing the supply of affordable housing.
"This audit report follows the recent publication of inspection findings of our community learning and development services, which found the Council and our partners to be at the leading edge of professional practice in many areas.
"This objective, independent scrutiny shows that Perth & Kinross Council is a council that residents can have confidence in. We and our partners are working to provide the people of the area with the excellent services they deserve."
Depute Leader of the Administration, Councillor George Hayton, said: "This is a very positive report and I welcome the fact that while acknowledging the many areas where the council does well, it also recognizes that the Council is aware of where improvement is necessary and is already working towards it.
"Overall the report is a huge endorsement of the hard work and professionalism of our staff across all services. It should give them heart to know that their efforts have been recognized in an objective external audit and it should give members of the public confidence in them.
"Perth & Kinross Council is as well placed as any in Scotland to meet the undoubted challenges that the next years will bring. I look forward to working towards our shared vision for Perth and Kinross confident in what we have achieved and what we can achieve."
Leader of the Conservative group, Councillor Alexander Stewart, said: "All of the political leaders on this Council came into local government to make a difference, and this report shows that we are indeed making a difference.
"The mature working relationship between the four political leaders here is fairly unique to this Council, and we have very strong financial management which cannot be said of all Scottish councils at this time. I welcome this report and the progress it shows that we are making."
Labour group leader, Councillor Archie MacLellan, said: "We are a progressive council. That is reflected when I speak to people in local government around Scotland - we are the envy of many. Our primary aim is to work together for the good of the people of Perth and Kinross, and this report shows that we are achieving a lot of success. I welcome its findings."
