Press Release
Accounts Commission’s findings
The Accounts Commission has this morning released its findings following the public hearing that was held at the Town Hall on 28th and 29th June.
Responding to the report, Convener Sandy Cluness said:
“The Shetland Islands Council takes these findings very seriously. Having just been provided with a copy of the report earlier today, it’s too early to make a detailed response to the points raised. However, I would say at this stage that it’s not likely the Council would dispute any of the findings and would be minded to accept them. We will be having further dialogue with the Commission and Audit Scotland over the next few weeks.
In line with what is a legal requirement, I will be ensuring that the report is considered at a meeting of full Council in early course and that a full response will be provided at that stage. The Council meeting will be open to members of the public and will be advertised in the local media.
Although we have been through a turbulent period, culminating in this report, I would like to reassure the public of Shetland today that the Council has been working very hard since the hearing to put in place the building blocks for improvement. We are facing a huge challenge to deliver savings across the Council and to respond effectively to today’s findings. However, I’m confident that if we all get behind the improvement plan that is developing, we will succeed in restoring confidence in the Council as a well run organisation that’s committed to delivering excellent services for the people of Shetland”.
Council Chief Executive Alistair Buchan commented…….
“I endorse the Convenors views and would simply add that clearly this report has arrived very early after my taking up post. It covers many of the areas which I had also seen as important and have already been working on.
It is critical that we now have some time and space to allow a considered and balanced response to the detail of the report to ensure that the whole Council can make their contribution, and that we all work together professionally to deliver the right improvements.
Through such an approach I am very confident we will see significant and rapid progress. This is not the time for knee-jerk reactions”