It is crucial that the City of Edinburgh Council continues to engage with and then act on the views of its residents and communities as it considers options to make the significant savings needed.

The council isn’t alone in Scottish local government in having to make substantial savings. But the scale of savings needed - over £100 million by 2029 - means senior officers and councillors must work together to find sustainable ways to deliver differently, improve performance and ultimately reduce costs.

The Scottish Government must move beyond making short-term savings to balance its budget, and urgently reform to address the public sector’s unsustainable finances.

There has not been enough progress made in reforming public services over the past year. Public sector budget shortfalls of more than £1 billion are forecast, and repayments on borrowing continue to grow. The Scottish Government needs to urgently reform, including looking at the size and structure of the public sector workforce.

Minute Date
Minute Type
Accounts Commission
Multimedia
Minutes
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- pdf
File size:
177.43 KB

Colin Crosby OBE has been appointed as the new chair of Audit Scotland's Board from early October 2024.

Councils have been transforming how they operate and deliver services for many years.

Now reform is increasingly urgent – councils have never faced such acute challenges, putting budgets and workforce under severe stretch and strain. Councils and key partners must significantly increase the pace and scale of major changes if they are to protect vital public services.

Clackmannanshire Council has demonstrated continuous improvement on key areas over the last five years. These include community engagement, addressing climate change and setting priorities. But the council must now urgently address its financial situation.

Like many councils across Scotland, Clackmannanshire is facing significant financial pressures, and needs to make £22 million of savings by 2026/27. Whilst it has made savings in the past, this has depended on reserves and one-off savings, an approach that cannot continue.

Scotland’s colleges need more clarity from ministers on what parts of their role to prioritise, as the sector’s financial challenges mount.

Scottish Government funding for colleges reduced by £32.7 million in cash terms in 2024/25. Funding has reduced by 17 per cent in real terms since 2021/22. Cash balances held by colleges are also forecast to fall.

Minute Date
Minute Type
Accounts Commission
Multimedia
Minutes
File type:
- pdf
File size:
117.88 KB
Minute Date
Minute Type
Accounts Commission
Multimedia
Minutes
File type:
- pdf
File size:
124.94 KB
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