Caithness Map :: Links to Site Map Great value Unlimited Broadband from an award winning provider  

 

Councils face tighter squeeze in 2013

10th April 2013

Councils face tougher challenges in the year ahead, particularly in dealing with budget pressures, says the Accounts Commission in its annual overview report published today.

Pressures on resources and demands on services mean that councils may now have to consider decisions, which they had previously ruled out, to balance their budgets.

Councils spent a total of £21 billion providing a range of essential local services and most councils are predicting substantial funding gaps over the next three years.

John Baillie, chair of the Accounts Commission, said: “It is clear that councils will need to do more with fewer resources. They have coped well with the financial pressures of recent years but these pressures are not abating.

“They need to continue to review existing services as well as identifying fresh ways of providing them – working with their partners, sharing skills and resources and keeping close tabs on budgets to ensure every pound is spent wisely.

“This is a tall order but there is a fresh appetite now from government and councils for new ways of working such as more effective community planning. Councillors are the centre of this and they have a crucial role in making sure their councils are delivering the best services for local people.”

The report notes that reserves held by local authorities have increased but these can only be used once. The Commission says councillors and the public need clear information on why reserves are built up and what the council intends doing with them. The report says there are other challenges facing councils this coming year. It says it is difficult to overstate the potential implications of welfare reform on Scotland’s 32 councils. Councils are taking this very seriously and are responding well but there are major challenges for councils in putting the new benefits arrangements in place.

Councils also have a central role in public service reform. Changes in police and fire services and plans to integrate health and social care are among other changes which present both challenges and opportunities for councils.

The report highlights changes in leadership. More than one third of councillors elected last May were new to local government and around one third of councils had changed their chief executive in the last two years. These changes provide an opportunity for fresh ideas and renewed impetus for improvement.

Report
Responding to challenges and change
http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/docs/local/2013/nr_130328_local_authority_overview.pdf

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

13/12/2024
Highland Council Financial Update
Members have considered an update on the Council's medium term financial plan and the impact of the UK and Scottish Governments’ budgets on the coming year’s funding settlement.   The position is currently looking more positive than initially planned for, however more detail needs to be worked through.  
10/12/2024
Highland Visitor Levy Scheme Consultation Period ExtendedThumbnail for article : Highland Visitor Levy Scheme Consultation Period Extended
In November, The Highland Council launched a public statutory consultation to seek views on the proposed introduction of a Visitor Levy scheme across the Highlands.   The Council has announced an extension to this consultation period, which will now give businesses, visitors and communities until 31 March 2025, an additional seven weeks, to take part and have their say.  
5/12/2024
Tell us more - Highland Council launches budget engagement
In the light of the financial forecast for 2025-26, Highland Council is inviting you to tell us more in the budget preparation for the coming financial year.   The budget engagement builds on extensive budget participation which took place in the winter of 2023-24.  
2/12/2024
Highland Winter Road Conditions Report - Monday 2 December 2024
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time.   It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.  
29/11/2024
Council Seeks Tenants Views On Rent For 2025/26
Every year Highland Council invites all tenants to have their say on the rent levels for the following year.   The Council encourages everyone that lives in a council house to take this chance to have their say.  
28/11/2024
Highland Council Approach To Local Child Poverty
Communities and Place Committee met yesterday (Wednesday 27 November 2024) and Members agreed the Highland Local Child Poverty Action Report which includes actions for delivery in 2024/25.   Reducing child poverty is a priority for the Council and its partners.  
28/11/2024
Highland Winter Road Conditions Report - Thursday 28 November 2024
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time.   It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.  
28/11/2024
Highland Council Committee Confirms Public Conveniences Action Plan
Members of the Highland Council's Community and Place Committee have given their support to an action plan focusing on the operating of public conveniences over the next 10 years.   Whilst not a statutory function, the Council is the main provider of public conveniences located throughout Highland, operating 74 sites.  
28/11/2024
2024 State Of Local Government Finance In Scotland
A report published on 27 November 2024 by LGIU (Local Government Information Unit) looks at the state of funding for councils by the Scottish Government.   Confidence in the sustainability of council finances is critically low.  
27/11/2024
Waste management long term strategic direction
At today's (Wednesday 27 November 2024) Communities & Place Committee, Members agreed the most appropriate long-term strategic direction for residual waste management is to continue to utilise a merchant provider solution.   Communities & Place Committee Chair, Cllr Graham MacKenzie said: "After careful consideration and analysis it has been agreed that a merchant provider solution is considered the most appropriate long term solution to our statutory waste management obligations, and that an energy-from- waste facility within the Highlands is not considered to be a suitable course of action.