South Ayrshire Council News

South Ayrshire Council is required to produce an annual efficiency statement, both for consideration by the Council and for consolidation by COSLA into a report for local government.

Members of the Council's Leadership Panel have examined and considered the Council's efficiency statement for 2007/08.

The National Efficiency Government Plan highlighted the following five key areas where efficiency improvement was a priority for local authorities:

• Procurement.
• Absence Management.
• Asset Management.
• Shared Services.
• Streamlining bureaucracy.

Councillor Bill McIntosh, the Council's Portfolio Carrier for Resources and Performance said: "The Council is committed to establishing South Ayrshire as the most dynamic, inclusive and sustainable community in Scotland. We will achieve this by making the most productive use of available resources, continually improving and directing gains into the maintenance and development of frontline services.

"Due to the commitment of the Council efficiency gains of £4.640 million were achieved while continuing to provide the same services. "We are determined to make further efficiency savings for 2008/09 and beyond and will do this by concentrating on a number of key areas."

In 2008/09 the Council is committed to delivery further efficiencies by focusing on:

• Asset management, including the school estate.
• Procurement.
• Absence Management.
• Support diagnostic exercise.