INVERCLYDE Council delivers a range of highly performing services, involving local communities in decisions about how money is spent and redesigning services, a report by public spending watchdog The Accounts Commission states.
The council is now being urged to be more ambitious in its plans as it seeks to address an £11 million funding gap. The report also states that continuing the council’s already strong governance and oversight of digital and transformation work is vital, alongside further planning to make savings and reduce its reliance on reserves.
The commission also found that the council has been successful in delivering planned savings so far, in its approach to transforming services and improving outcomes for citizens, particularly around child poverty.
It states that other councils can learn from its approach to understanding the impacts of decisions on vulnerable groups, understanding the benefits of change and its approach to governance.
The council works well with local, regional and national partners, and these partnerships should continue as the council works to address the region’s economic challenges and deliver regeneration and growth.
Andrew Burns, deputy chair of the Accounts Commission, said: “Inverclyde Council is impressive in many ways: it is focused on improving its citizens’ outcomes and delivering high quality services, working hard to talk with and listen to its communities about the decisions it makes. It achieves this while dealing with some of the highest levels of deprivation in Scotland.
“Now the council needs to build on these strengths. With excellent partnership working and previous experience of shared services, the council should explore opportunities to collaborate with other local government and public sector partners – this will be vital for all councils as costs continue to rise faster than funding. The council should also be more ambitious in its plans for tackling the financial pressures it faces.”
Councillor Stephen McCabe, leader of Inverclyde Council, said: “A lot of hard work and effort goes on behind the scenes and under increasingly challenging conditions for a council to run effectively and this report is deserved recognition for the dedication of council officers and fellow councillors to deliver for the people of Inverclyde.
“What this report demonstrates is that Inverclyde Council is actually performing well, which is something to be proud of. I am particularly pleased that the commission has recognised that elected members work respectfully and collaboratively on a cross-party basis to try to achieve consensus.
“However, we never rest on our laurels and are always striving to do better for the people we serve and we welcome the recommendations which will be taken forward. I’d like to thank council staff and councillors for their hard work and congratulate them on this glowing report from the Accounts Commission.”
Stuart Jamieson, chief executive of Inverclyde Council, said: “Our strength is our people and we have talented and dedicated staff who are determined to improve the lives of residents and this report is recognition of that.
“Inverclyde is a caring and compassionate place and our staff work alongside the community and public, private and third sectors partners to achieve the shared ambition of making Inverclyde a better place to live, work, visit and do business.
“I’m pleased for my staff and our partners that these positive working relationships have been highlighted. We can always do better and we take on board the recommendations from the Accounts Commission, which will be taken forward and built into our own improvement and service delivery plans.
“However, this is a moment for staff, councillors and our partners to enjoy some well-deserved praise for their collective efforts day in, day out to deliver for the people of Inverclyde and I offer my congratulations to everyone for the important roles they play in doing that.”
