The Accounts Commission for Scotland published its findings today (Friday 29 June) on the departmental reorganisation and voluntary redundancy of the Chief Executive at East Lothian Council. The Commission accepts the Controller of Audit’s report in full and endorses its overall conclusion that the process fell a long way short of the standards expected of public bodies. The Commission also emphasises the wider lessons to be learned.

In its follow-up report on Best Value at The Moray Council, published today, the Accounts Commission acknowledges improvement in the council’s corporate leadership and strategic direction, but says that there are still areas of concern.

Commenting on the report’s findings Accounts Commission Deputy Chair Isabelle Low said:

“In our February 2006 report we said The Moray Council still had a long way to go to be in a position to deliver Best Value to local people. Significant work was needed to create a culture of continuous improvement.

The NHS in Scotland can improve the care it gives to people with long-term illnesses by better targeting resources, further developing community-based services and driving a national strategy.

An Audit Scotland report published today, Managing long-term conditions, finds that care for people with chronic illnesses is improving but the health service, councils and the Scottish Executive need to do more to build a joined-up system of care. Audit Scotland’s report also finds that patients want better information about their conditions and more say in their own care.

An Audit Scotland report published today says that increased funding and a stronger focus on youth justice services over recent years have delivered some positive changes. However it is still not possible to demonstrate clearly that resources provide value-for-money and are being used effectively.

Most patients are satisfied with NHS out-of-hours care. But fewer GPs are working during the out-of-hours period and there is a significant risk the service is unsustainable in its current form.

An Audit Scotland report published today, Primary care out-of-hours services, looks at how out-of-hours care has been managed and delivered since responsibility for it shifted from GPs to NHS boards in 2004. Since then, 95 per cent of Scotland’s GP practices have opted out of providing 24-hour care to their patients.

In its first report on Best Value at Clackmannanshire Council, published today, the Accounts Commission for Scotland says the council faces a number of significant challenges specific to its situation and its progress towards Best Value has not matched its aspirations.

The condition of buildings in Scotland’s higher education (HE) sector is improving, with more money going into their development and upkeep. But institutions, the Scottish Funding Council and the Scottish Government need to tackle a growing maintenance backlog.

An Audit Scotland report published today, Estate management in higher education, says there should be a sustained commitment to maintaining and developing the estate, which is worth almost £5 billion.

Recycling rates have risen significantly, but further increases will be harder to achieve and will cost more. Because of slow progress in developing facilities to deal with waste that is not recycled it is unlikely that Scotland will be able to reduce landfill to the levels required by the EU. Urgent decisions now need to be made.

Scotland’s police receive almost 16,000 calls a day and people are generally satisfied when they call 999 or a non-emergency number. Forces recently reorganised how they manage calls but a lack of performance information means they cannot show whether the new systems are delivering the intended benefits or providing value for money.

East Lothian Council is performing just below the Scottish average, and has made limited progress in establishing Best Value. The Accounts Commission says that the council now has a very good opportunity to introduce change to address the major issues it faces.