The Accounts Commission has warned it is ‘seriously concerned’ about South Ayrshire Council failure to address long-term weaknesses.
A report from the Controller of Audit found ‘significant’ failings at the council in terms of leadership, performance, management and scrutiny.
The Commission said the council had failed to act on recommendations made in 2009 and 2010, and has also lacked a corporate plan for the past 18 months.
The report found senior management frequently missed meetings, scrutiny panel meetings were often cancelled due to lack of business and its performance management system was not consistently implemented across the council.
Commission chair, Douglas Sinclair, said: ‘We require progress to be made as a matter of urgency. Otherwise, the weaknesses identified by the targeted audit of Best Value will increasingly have a negative impact on the services that the council provides for people and communities in South Ayrshire and on the public’s confidence in the council.
‘The challenges the council faces in establishing and sustaining effective leadership and improvement are substantial and deep rooted and we urge the council to seek external assistance in this through, for example, peer support.’
In response, leader of the council Bill McIntosh, said: ‘The Commission’s findings and the audit report are not a pleasant read – and neither should they be if there are issues we need to address. However, I do welcome the recognition that the performance of the council services we deliver to our people and communities, day in and day out, raised no significant concerns.
‘We’re here to serve the people of South Ayrshire and that will continue to be our number one priority as we tackle the challenges set out in the report head-on. We will do what’s needed – it’s as simple as that – and I’m very clear on what’s required, and expected, from both councillors and officers across the council.’
The Commission has ordered a follow-up report by December to measure progress against its recommendations.
