Renfrewshire Council: the Audit of Best Value and ... - Audit Scotland

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Commission findings 1. The Commission accepts this report on the performance of Renfrewshire Council’s statutory duty to secure best value and to initiate and to facilitate the community planning process. The Commission recognises that the report gives a broad picture of the council’s performance based on the work of Audit Scotland and the findings of other scrutiny bodies such as inspectorates and that it does not attempt a comprehensive review of all service delivery. We acknowledge the cooperation and assistance given to the audit process by members and officers of the council. 2. Renfrewshire Council has moved on from a historically volatile political culture to greater stability largely as a result of the commitment of the council leader and chief executive. Clear strategic direction is given by elected members and senior officers and the council has a well integrated strategic planning framework and has established a robust framework of corporate values which govern the way it does business. There is a firm commitment to best value in the council’s stated objectives and priorities. There is a strong managerial culture within the council and council services are generally well managed and are customer focused. 3. The council has a high level of self awareness and an understanding of what it needs to do better. The Commission recognises that the starting point for progress by the council was a low performance base and there is still much to do to translate the council’s commitment into improved service delivery. We welcome the council’s improvement agenda as set out in the report and we wish to highlight a number of areas for particular attention: Effective scrutiny by elected members is an important element of a best value council and considerable improvement is required in this area. The Leadership Board has an opportunity to exercise effective scrutiny by using its call-in powers and acting in a non-partisan fashion. The Scrutiny Board has been effective in bringing about some improvement but the Commission considers it cannot achieve its full potential without commitment and engagement across the range of political parties. While Renfrewshire’s best value reviews of services have delivered improvements the council needs to demonstrate a broader approach to examining and appraising the options for services, including, where appropriate, the use of market testing, and considering whether it is best placed to deliver the services it currently provides. The council has approached management re-structuring as opportunities have arisen and it should consider a broader options appraisal approach to determining the most effective management structures. The arrival of a new chief executive may present a good opportunity for such consideration. 2
While performance indicators show an upward trend towards average performance some areas show poorer performance, such as home care services for elderly people and criminal justice services. 4. The Commission looks forward to receiving an improvement plan from the council which responds to the audit report and to these findings. 3
Page 1 and 2: Renfrewshire Council The Audit of B
Page 3: Contents Commission findings 2 The
Page 7 and 8: We select certain aspects of the co
Page 9 and 10: the council’s quality award succe
Page 11 and 12: Part 1: Does the council have clear
Page 13 and 14: Exhibit 1 Renfrewshire Council’s
Page 15 and 16: such as trading activities. The cur
Page 17 and 18: continuing to develop its approach
Page 19 and 20: 40. The council has a comprehensive
Page 21 and 22: voluntary sectors. Complementary ca
Page 23 and 24: usiness space, leisure space, a new
Page 25 and 26: annually. The council’s annual Su
Page 27 and 28: collection services to provide a mo
Page 29 and 30: 74. The council has also recently i
Page 31 and 32: transition to the new chief executi
Page 33 and 34: improve the quality of asset inform
Page 35 and 36: Equal opportunities The council has
Page 37 and 38: 107. Particular challenges for Renf
Page 39 and 40: Part 3: Is the council delivering b
Page 41 and 42: Council services 116. The audit too
Page 43 and 44: Exhibit 12 New Directions New Direc
Page 45 and 46: esponding well to the local challen
Page 47 and 48: 143. The report set out ’practice
Page 49 and 50: Exhibit 13 Ferguslie Park In 1988/8
Page 51 and 52: Environmental services Environmenta
Page 53 and 54: Exhibit 15 Hungry for Success (H4S)
Page 55 and 56:
employability training. It also att
Page 57 and 58:
182. The council has a very strong
Page 59 and 60:
services against external providers
Page 61:
Renfrewshire Council The Audit of B
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Renfrewshire Council: the Audit of Best Value and ... - Audit Scotland

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