Falkirk Council performing well, although still room for improvement

In its first report on Best Value at Falkirk Council, published today, the Accounts Commission for Scotland says the council shows good, solid performance with many characteristics of best value, while still having room for improvement in some areas.

Accounts Commission Chairman John Baillie said: “Falkirk Council has many of the characteristics required in order to be able to provide best value to local people. In general the council shows good, solid performance. It is doing particularly well in important areas such as strategic planning and engaging with the local community to try and provide the services they want and need. However there are also areas where the council could make improvements, such as in ensuring that services do improve, staff vacancies are addressed and long term financial planning gets better. “

The Accounts Commission’s findings state that the council does well with its vision and strategic direction, community engagement, customer focus and partnership working. It also highlights performance management and the delivery of a number of major projects and initiatives contributing to economic development and regeneration.

However there is still room for improvement, such as in the services provided, addressing senior management vacancies, reviewing how the council approaches scrutiny and matching financial planning to long term strategies.

The findings point to the need to give high priority to the planned review of commercial services and also say that leadership development and the training of elected members should be prioritised, in view of the number of new members elected in May 2007.

John Baillie continued “We look forward to receiving an improvement plan from the council with measurable and achievable outcomes, to build on the good work already being done by the council.”