South Ayrshire Council is on the right track with its improvement activities according to a report published by Audit Scotland.
The Audit of Best Value and Community Planning Progress Report outlines the progress made by the Council since April 2009.
The progress report - which has still to be considered by the Accounts Commission – recognises the significant changes introduced by the Council over the last 12 months including the substantial progress achieved against its improvement agenda.
It provides an update of the Council's work to address the Accounts Commission findings (as set out in the 2009 report) as well as taking forward its own improvement agenda and leads with the statement "South Ayrshire Council has made good progress".
The report particularly highlights improvements in relation to the Council's financial position, strategic leadership, putting in place the best value building blocks and establishing a culture of continuous improvement throughout the Council.
"We are well on our way", said Councillor Bill McIntosh, Leader of South Ayrshire Council, "and Audit Scotland's report confirms this.
"We still have a lot of work to do – and we fully recognise that – however, we can now move forward with a pride in what we have achieved to date and a renewed vigour in the challenges we face in the months and the years ahead.
"Our main consideration has to be to build on the work already undertaken to ensure we are in the best possible position to deliver for the people of South Ayrshire and can meet the financial challenges which lie ahead for all corners of the public sector.
"Prudent financial management and strategic and proactive planning now underpins all that we do.
"We have created a real culture of improvement within the organisation, introduced a structured approach to management and leadership, improved our budget-setting processes and undertaken our first ever community conversations.
"However, we know there is still a long way to go before we become the most dynamic, inclusive and sustainable community in Scotland. Our commitment to achieving this is as strong as ever and the Audit Scotland report will help shape the detail of how we go forward.
"We will continue to strive to make a difference for the people and communities of South Ayrshire and this report confirms we are positively moving ahead."