Faster and more ambitious change is needed at Falkirk

Falkirk Council has identified £46 million of savings it needs to make but has to do a lot more to deliver them, says the Accounts Commission.

A report published today recognises that Falkirk generally delivers a good standard of council services, particularly in education, but the council must make savings of £46 million over the next three years.

It has relied too heavily in the past on small-scale savings projects, reducing services and increasing charges. The Commission says it has significant concerns that this approach is inadequate to ensure that service standards are maintained and improved.

Difficult working relationships and political tensions between councillors have led to a lack of proper scrutiny over the past two years. New arrangements are now in place but the council needs to show that they are working effectively.

Douglas Sinclair, chair of the Accounts Commission said:

"Falkirk Council needs to do a great deal to provide assurance that it can deal with the financial challenges ahead.

"It must commit to a more ambitious financial plan that clearly sets out its priorities and how spending reductions will impact on services, and the people who use them. There needs to be better leadership to achieve this, and councillors must fully engage with the new scrutiny arrangements, which will be essential when difficult decisions inevitably need to be made."

The Commission has asked the Controller of Audit for an update on the council's progress by the end of 2016.