Council well placed to tackle budget shortfall, says watchdog

Perth and Kinross Council must demonstrate it has plans in place to tackle underperforming services, a watchdog has said.

A report by the Accounts Commission, which polices Scotland’s local authorities, said that the council had improved some services but more needs to be done.

However it also noted that the local authority demonstrates robust financial planning, putting it in a good position to tackle a projected budget shortfall of £52 million over the next five years.

The report stated that many services are improving, particularly in the council’s priority areas such as household waste recycling and care services but national data suggests around one third of services are declining and some are performing below the Scottish average.

Elma Murray, deputy chairwoman of the Accounts Commission, said: “Whilst the council has made many steady improvements, it needs to tackle underperforming services.

“The council can do this by developing action plans from its own evaluation and performance reports. It can also build on excellent existing partnerships and demonstrate how its engagement with communities influences decisions about services and budgets.

“An ambitious new way of working more closely with citizens and communities, the ‘Perth and Kinross Offer’, has the potential to achieve considerable change in how services are designed and delivered. This will require significant drive and commitment from the council to ensure they reap the full benefits of this new initiative.”