Ƶapp Council has agreed an action plan that will progress improvement in key areas identified by the Accounts Commission’s Best Value Review.
The council welcomed the findings of the review, particularly in relation to the progress the council has made; the significantly improved relationships amongst elected members and between members and officers, which provide a sound basis for tackling future challenges, and the council’s sound approach to financial planning and budgeting which has allowed it to achieve financial balance in the short term.
As for all councils, the Accounts Commission identified areas for the council to focus its continued improvement upon such as:
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Managing and reporting performance
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Delivering significant transformation and redesign of service
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Engaging staff fully in planning and implementing change
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Engaging and empowering local communities
In recommending improvements, the Commission acknowledged the significant challenges in an area as extensive and varied, with declining and sparsity of population, as Ƶapp.
The actions in the plan include:
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Improving public performance reporting
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Modernising education services
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Improving technology to transform service delivery
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Engaging with communities to understand and improve levels of satisfaction with council services in order to understand and address their concerns
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Developing and implementing an Elected Members’ Training programme
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Delivering an employee engagement programme
Councillor Aileen Morton, Leader of Ƶapp Council said:
“The Commission recognises the unique challenges we have in Ƶapp, and the progress the council is making in our work for the area. We will use its recommendations to help us continue improving wherever financial and other limitations allow.”
Every council in Scotland is reviewed by Audit Scotland, with a report on findings being issued by the Accounts Commission. The Best Value review of Ƶapp Council was carried out earlier this year. The full report and action plan can be found on the council website