Services get the stamp of approval

Council praised for introducing improvements

Council bosses have been praised for improving the services it provides to taxpayers in a report published today.

The Accounts Commission visited the council and spoke to councillors, staff, trade unions and partner organisations, to gather a wide-ranging review of its services.

The report, the second of a new type of audit, charts the authority’s progress since 2006 when the commission found the council had strong and effective leadership but needed to improve service performance.

It found improvements have been made in the way Renfrewshire plans, manages and carries out its business.

It states that the council works well with its partners and has successfully brought in innovative ways of providing services at a local level.

But the report highlights stark inequalities which still exist in Renfrewshire – the life expectancy for men in Ferguslie is 14 years behind those in Bishopton.

However, inspectors found the council has a “clear and ambitious vision” to revitalise the area’s economy and address inequality.

Council leader Iain Nicolson said: “This is a very positive report which recognises the council’s continuous improvement in how well we deliver services to the public.

“As the leader of the council, it is important we continue to work with all political parties to get the best deal for the whole of Renfrewshire.

“That is why we set up a new Cross Party Sounding Board which includes representatives from all parties and independents and enables open discussion of matters of common interest and cross-party issues.”

He added: “This is a fantastic time for Renfrewshire, with Paisley’s shortlisting for UK City of Culture 2021, the £1.13 billion Glasgow City Region City Deal and the ongoing regeneration of Renfrewshire all contributing to a fantastic opportunity to develop the area as an attractive place to live, work, visit and invest in.

“The cross party sounding board allows the best decisions to be taken for Renfrewshire to continue its ambitions while being fully representative of the needs of its community.

“We recognise the importance of transparency and scrutiny of our work and that’s why we established a new audit, risk and scrutiny board.

“The report also highlights the challenges ahead, with increasing pressure on funding and impacts from a changing population and welfare reform.

“Working together with councillors, with partners, businesses and communities, will be vital to shaping and securing the important public services so many of us rely on for the future.”

The report also raised some issues that were in the process of being addressed or should be addressed in the future.

It found progress had been made to strengthen previously weak scrutiny arrangements; a workforce strategy should be in place to help financial management and planning; the relationship between the council and Renfrewshire Leisure should be more transparent; and councillors should make the most of training and development opportunities.

Christine May, acting deputy chair of the Accounts Commission said: “Renfrewshire has a sound foundation on which to build. Like other councils in Scotland, it has a new minority administration.

“The challenge for all councillors is to find ways they can work well together and improve the lives of the people of Renfrewshire.”