Some good progress by East Dunbartonshire Council, but still more to do
These findings follow the Commission’s consideration of the Best Value audit report compiled by Audit Scotland. This is the first time this council has had this type of audit.
The Commission says the council has concentrated on improving its key services and, from a low base-line position in 2001, there has been considerable improvement in key areas such as education, social work and housing.
There is positive leadership, with councillors and officers working well together, despite there having been significant changes in senior personnel over the past few years. The council also works well with its partners and has shown good self-awareness, including an understanding of the areas where improvement is needed.
Chair of the Accounts Commission, John Baillie, said:
East Dunbartonshire Council has made good progress with aspects of Best Value. It has improved its services, has positive leadership, good working relationships and an open and ‘can do’ attitude. We’re encouraged by the progress so far, however the council still has work to do across a wide range of issues in order to ensure best value for local people.”
The Commission says that many of the building blocks of Best Value are not well developed, highlighting:
- Slower progress in significant areas such as performance management, competiveness, the strategic use of resources, customer service and workforce development.
- The need for councillors to identify their priorities for improvement and to scrutinise improvement activity. They should also be more involved in the scrutiny and challenge of community planning activity. Councillors should take every opportunity to adopt best practice as they develop their roles.
John Baillie continued:
“We encourage the council to continue to improve by taking action on the areas highlighted in the report and to increase the momentum towards the achievement of Best Value.”
The next step in the process is for the council to prepare an improvement plan.
