William Eichler 01 October 2024

Scottish councils must ‘urgently’ reform, watchdog says

Scottish councils must ‘urgently’ reform, watchdog says image
Image: Gumbariya / Shutterstock.com.

Local authorities in Scotland must urgently transform how they work if they are to ‘sustainably maintain services’, a public finance watchdog has said.

The Accounts Commission has warned local government is facing a funding gap of £585m next year, increasing to £780m by 2026-27.

In a new report, the watchdog acknowledges councils have been reforming how they deliver services, but emphasised the pace of transformation must increase.

‘The unprecedented financial and service demand pressures mean there is an urgent need for the local government sector to transform how it operates if it is to sustainably maintain services,’ the report states.

The commission called for more ‘effective collaboration’ across the sector and urged councils to ‘prioritise and urgently progress’ the delivery of local transformation plans.

Accounts Commission member Jennifer Henderson commented that councils had been transforming how they delivered services for years.

However, she added that growing demand and ongoing financial pressures meant councils must now move with ‘an ambition and pace’ not yet seen.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Family Support Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 6 £27,269 - £30,060 (Pay Award Pending)
Do you want to work in an ambitious Local Authority with strong leadership and partnership commitment to Children’s Services? Durham County Council a Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

SENDIASS Support Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £31,586 - £35,235 (Pay Award Pending)
An exciting and rewarding opportunity has arisen within the busy and fast paced SEND Information, Advice, Support Service (SENDIASS). The service has Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Residential Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 7 £29,093 - £32,654 (Pay Award Pending)
Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Team Leader

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £31,586 - £35,235 (Pay Award Pending)
Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Class Teacher

Durham County Council
£31,650- £33,483
Class Teacher MPS 1 -2   £31,650- £33,483 Temporary – required from Monday 1st September 2025 (subject to DBS) until 31st August 2026 25 hours per wee Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner