20 January 2006
A local authority watchdog has commended Scotland's biggest council for its improvement plans and commitment to change.
But the Accounts Commission found that Glasgow City Council still needs to tackle a number of social and economic challenges, including deprivation problems that are among the worst in the country.
In a Best Value report published on January 19, the commission said that Glasgow had demonstrated vision and strategic direction, clear leadership and a considerable rate of improvement, particularly in the physical regeneration of the city.
However, it needed to improve key service provision to the most vulnerable groups of people. Health, educational attainment and employment levels in Glasgow remain low compared with the rest of Scotland.
Commission chair Alastair MacNish said the council had made great strides in recent years and the commission was very encouraged by its achievements.
He added: 'The council now has a solid foundation to build on and recognises the areas in which it needs to improve. It faces significant and complex social and economic challenges.'
The commission said that, in recent years, the council had put in place arrangements to support continuous improvement, with elected members and senior officers sustaining a focus on what matters and delivering visible improvements underpinned by strong leadership.
The report adds: 'The council still has a lot to do and has not yet realised the benefits of all of its investment in performance. In doing this, the council needs to further consider how it supports and manages its staff, who are critical to the delivery of its ambitions.'
The commission said Glasgow needed to improve its performance in education and social work; develop better community planning partnership arrangements; and produce more balanced public reporting to provide a 'full and honest' assessment of performance.
Comprehensive asset management plans should be put in place to better manage the city's £1.5bn asset portfolio, the commission also recommended.
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