Council in ‘much better shape’ as tough audit hits

Auditors have described North Lanarkshire Council’s financial position as “challenging” based on available cash reserves and the prospect of future cutbacks.

Representatives of Audit Scotland met the council to go over their latest report at the authority’s Motherwell headquarters yesterday.

Audit Scotland assistant director Brian Howarth said the council was in much better financial shape than some Scottish authorities. The council has planned to use £14 million of reserves and find savings of £25m.