Accounts Commission

Our next meeting takes place on Thursday 12 March in our Edinburgh office. Attendance at the public session is warmly welcomed, online or in person. Topics for discussion include a Best Value report on Aberdeenshire Council. Register on our website: bit.ly/AC_meetings_20…

@COSLA @improvserv @ScottishCCs @TSIScotNet

Urgent action is needed by @ShetIslandsCll as it faces a significant budget gap. Council services are strong and there have been improvements in how the council is run. But it can't rely on reserves to balance its budget. Change is needed: bit.ly/Shetland_Islan…

@COSLA @improvserv @HSCScotland @scottishcare @SDSScot @P_H_S_Official @NHSNSS @ScottishCCs

Difficult decisions are urgently needed about how health and social care services are delivered, and where to redesign, reduce or discontinue services. The cost of delivering these services, and demand for them, are rising faster than available funding: bit.ly/IJBs_2024-25

Having recently reported on local government finances, tomorrow we’ll publish a new report looking at the finances of Integration Joint Boards – they’re responsible for planning health and social care services in your local area. Check back here tomorrow for more.

Our February meeting takes place on Thursday the 12th at 10:00. The main item of business in the public session will be a Best Value report on Shetland Islands Council. Register to attend via the Audit Scotland website: bit.ly/AC_meetings_20…

Accounts Commission member Derek Yule has been speaking to the media this week, about our latest report. It says Scotland’s councils are at risk of becoming financially unsustainable. If you haven't seen the report yet, read it in full here: bit.ly/LG_finances_24…

@COSLA @improvserv @ScottishCCs @TSIScotNet @scvotweet @ALLIANCEScot @Enable_Tweets @PovertyAlliance @Strath_FAI @EducationScot @HSCScotland @UniteScotland @unisonscot @EISUnion @ScottishTUC @Solace_UK

Demand for council services and costs are rising faster than available funding. Councils are at risk of becoming financially unsustainable. This is impacting services. They must fundamentally rethink how they operate and deliver services: bit.ly/LG_finances_24…

Tomorrow we'll publish our latest report focusing on the 2024/25 financial performance of councils in Scotland, as well as the financial outlook. Follow us here for more.

Accounts Commission Chair, Jo Armstrong and Deputy Chair, Andrew Burns met with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar representatives to discuss our report on the Comhairle’s cyber-attack. English and Gaelic versions of the report are on the Audit Scotland website: bit.ly/Comhairle_nan_…

Shona Robison, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, has agreed an extension to the appointment of Andrew Burns as Deputy Chair of the Accounts Commission. Andrew's appointment will now run until 31 July 2027. Visit our website for more: bit.ly/Andrew_Burns_A…

@COSLA @improvserv @ScottishCCs @TSIScotNet @ALLIANCEScot @scvotweet

North Lanarkshire Council has strong foundations for the future as it faces a growing budget gap. It’s focused on improving residents’ lives, investing in the local economy and working with partner organisations. But there are clear challenges ahead: bit.ly/North_Lan_Coun…

It's a busy start to 2026 for the Accounts Commission. Malcolm Bell tells you more about what we have coming up in the video below. This Thursday at 10am our January meeting takes place. If you'd like to attend you can register here: bit.ly/AC_meetings_20…

@COSLA @SolaceScotland @ALLIANCEScot @socworkscot @improvserv @TSIScotNet @CitAdviceScot

Significant change is critical across health and social care services, including shifting towards preventative care. Without change, the care and support many people need to leave hospital won’t always be available. Our report with @AuditorGenScot: bit.ly/delayed_discha…

Delayed discharges affect people’s physical and mental health. In 2024/25 people medically ready to leave spent 720,000 unnecessary days in hospital. @scotgov and its partners must improve how they evaluate initiatives to tackle delayed discharges: bit.ly/delayed_discha…

Season's Greetings from the Accounts Commission. Thanks for following us in 2025. Our social media channels will be active again on Monday 5th January 2026.