Press Release
Follow-up report shows Shetland now "forging ahead"; says Chief Executive
The follow-up Audit Scotland report has praised Shetland Islands Council's positive response to criticisms and recommendations made by the Accounts Commission last year.
“The council has made good progress overall in its improvement plan,” the report, which will be presented to a meeting of the Accounts Commission on Thursday (15th), concludes, “in particular by implementing new political management arrangements and a new management structure.” Prompt action had been taken to address issues highlighted in audit reports and the Accounts Commission's findings.
Council chief executive Alistair Buchan said the report showed that Shetland was now “forging ahead,” and the challenge was “to keep up the momentum.”
The report identified improvements in aspects of financial planning:
“The council has introduced more effective financial planning and budget arrangements and agreed a strategic budget plan and principles to underpin its reserves policy.” Budget monitoring reports and reporting generally to councillors had improved.
Further improvements were needed, however, and Audit Scotland did identify areas of concern in some aspects of financial management.
Other areas of significant improvement identified by the report included:
- the establishment of new political management arrangements and a new management structure.
- Effective working with partners to develop a long-term vision for Shetland
- Improvements in governance arrangements
- Better working relationships
- Clarity and structure in reports to and conduct of Council meetings
Mr Buchan said:
“The last few years have been very hard for the Shetland community and its Council,” he said. “This important report demonstrates very clearly that Shetland is now forging ahead. Change can be a painful process but I say a heartfelt 'well done' to our staff, our councillors, our partners in all walks of Shetland life, and also to the many members of the public, all of whom played a key role in getting us to this point.
“Our challenge now is to keep up the momentum which we have established and to start to reap, for the community, the rewards which come from doing the right things in a better way.”
The Council’s Political Leader, Josie Simpson echoed Mr Buchan’s views “This report shows the very good progress that has been made in the past year by the council,” said Mr Simpson. “There’s no question these have been difficult times, and everyone involved deserves credit for their hard work and forbearance. But we have turned the corner and the future for Shetland and for the council now looks much more certain and secure. We have set the course, and the thing to do now is to hold steady and keep going. ”
The full report can be read at the Audit Scotland website
http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/about/docs/AC.2011.12.8b_ShetlandReport.pdf