Commission highlights importance of clear roles and effective working relationships

The Accounts Commission has launched the first in a new series of publications intended to help councils steer through the tough financial pressures they are facing. Roles and working relationships: are you getting it right? builds on the lessons learned from audits to show how clarity about roles and effective working relationships are essential to improving performance and achieving value for money.

John Baillie, Chair of the Accounts Commission, said:

“Councillors and officers are at the heart of local government policy and delivery, and how they work together is fundamental to success. Councils are rising to the challenge and working hard to keep delivering quality services that meet people’s needs, despite reduced funding and other pressures. As they face increasingly difficult choices, it is vital that they have good working arrangements and relationships in place to support their activity.”

Today’s publication says councils have taken action to improve understanding of roles and responsibilities and the processes and systems that underpin good governance. However, the economic, social and political context is changing quickly and the report provides checklists, examples and other information to help councils assess their current working practices and identify how they might better equip themselves to deal with the challenges ahead.

John Baillie continued:

“Delivering best value to local people is more important and challenging than ever. A key part of this is for councils to ensure they keep their working practices and arrangements under regular review, and take action on any areas for improvement.”