DUMFRIES and Galloway Council is “well led” and making “significant progress” but must now deliver on service reform, according to an independent accounts commission.
The report from the Audit Scotland’s accounts commission says the local authority has strong leadership and sound financial management.
However it has warned that the council now needs to deliver its plans to reform local services, keeping residents better informed on performance and progress.
The commission says the council has a good financial track record, with clear plans to transform services so it can balance future budgets. The council is required to save £38.1 million by 2027/28.
The commission also stated the council cannot underestimate the challenges it will face in delivering those plans. They further say the council needs to focus on providing clearer and more easily accessible information to local people about how local services are performing, and its progress on reforms and savings plans.
The report reads: “Improving public performance reporting is a statutory requirement. The council has strong engagement with its communities, and a clear vision for the future.
“The council also has ambitious plans to tackle climate change, but the commission says it remains to be seen how achievable these are and whether the council remains committed to them.
“There is a lack of information in its current council plan about its target of achieving net zero by 2025.”
Commenting on the report, Christine Lester, member of the Accounts Commission, this week said: “Dumfries and Galloway Council has made significant progress over recent years, with strong leadership and a clear vision.
“As the council recognises, balancing future budgets relies on making changes to how it delivers services.
“Councillors and officers cannot underestimate the challenges to achieve this, and they need to make sure they are reporting clearly to citizens about their progress and performance.
“Councils across Scotland face increasingly constrained budgets and difficult decisions about services will have to be made. It makes it more important for the council to continue the effective way it engages with its communities.”
