Tackling climate change and making the best use of resources require the efficient use of energy. The public sector in Scotland has made some progress in using energy more efficiently. However, spending on fuel and power by the country’s public bodies has increased significantly because of rising prices.
An Audit Scotland, Improving energy efficiency, looks at how councils, the NHS and central government bodies are improving energy efficiency in their buildings and transport use.
The Accounts Commission's findings say that the council still has much to do and must increase its pace of change to establish Best Value for local people.
The report follows the initial report into Best Value & Community Planning at the council, published in February 2006. This found that the council had made limited progress in establishing Best Value and needed to become more outward looking and responsive to people using its services.
Scotland’s central government bodies spend an estimated £114 million a year on consultancy services. With better planning and management, the public sector could get better value for money.
An Audit Scotland report, Central government’s use of consultancy services, looks at the planning, management and spending on consultants by the Scottish Government, non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) and central government agencies.
The Auditor General for Scotland, Robert Black, said:
The Accounts Commission says it is pleased to welcome the significant progress and improvements made by Inverclyde Council as a result of its work to address the issues raised in its initial Best Value audit report and the two follow up reports.
In June 2005 the Commission made its first assessment of the council’s performance towards providing Best Value for local people. It highlighted extensive and fundamental weaknesses in leadership and direction by elected members and senior management which were preventing the council from improving.
An Audit Scotland report, Asset management in the NHS in Scotland, examines the way the health service strategically manages its £5 billion worth of land and buildings, vehicles, medical and IT equipment.
The Accounts Commission says that it is encouraged by the progress the council has made towards providing Best Value for local people. However there is still more work to be done and it is important that the council keeps moving forward.
The progress report and findings follow the initial report into Best Value & Community Planning at the council, published in February 2006. At that point the Commission said that the council was not yet in a position to deliver Best Value to the people it serves.
The Accounts Commission says South Lanarkshire Council performs very well. However it needs to review and amend its arrangements to accord with best practice in openness and transparency.
The report and findings are the first on Best Value and Community Planning at South Lanarkshire Council.
Chairman of the Accounts Commission, John Baillie, said:
The Accounts Commission for Scotland says while there is evidence of improving services, councils face significant challenges from the current economic climate and financial pressures, and in making partnership working achieve its full potential.
The Commission’s annual overview report on local government, looks at how councils performed in 2008, how they plan and deliver services and how they use resources. It also identifies priorities and risks that will be tracked during 2009.
Chair of the Accounts Commission, John Baillie said:
The Accounts Commission says Fife Council has many of the building blocks in place for achieving best value. The leadership of the council now needs to maintain the momentum towards further improvement.
Today’s report and findings are the first on Best Value and Community Planning at Fife Council.
Chairman of the Accounts Commission, John Baillie, said:
Given Scotland’s problem with drugs and alcohol, a coordinated effort is needed to ensure services meet local needs and are delivered to consistent standards nationally.
