Auditors to run rule over council

May 1 2008 By John Rowbotham

SOUTH Lanarkshire Council is to undergo at two-month audit, it has been revealed.

And the Whitehill area will play a key role.

Staff from public spending watchdog Audit Scotland will be assessing whether over the past decade the authority have fulfilled promises on regeneration, schools modernisation, housing improvement and other services throughout the council area.

This is the first time the whole of the council has been subject of an audit.

Audit Scotland, on behalf of the Accounts Commission, are looking at the performance of each of the country’s 32 councils.

The agency say that the South Lanarkshire assessment will begin this week and the Audit Scotland team’s report will be submitted to the Accounts Commission later this year.

Should the audit uncover matters of serious concern, the commission can order a hearing to gather more evidence and make recommendations to both the council and Ministers.

Hearings into such matters are, however, rare.

One was held into the workings of West Dunbartonshire Council and a second is set to take place this month at Aberdeen City Council.

A South Lanarkshire spokesman said that the local authority welcomed the probe and will be fully co-opeating with the officials.

The spokesman continued; “We have already had good reports arising from audits on individual departments such as social work and education.

“And we are positive about our regeneration initiatives, schools modernisation programme and council house upgrades, which have a 99 per cent satisfaction rate among tenants.

“We are also creating five-star residential facilities for older people at a time when other local authorities in the country are closing theirs.”

The Audit Scotland team are also likely to visit Whitehill, subject of a major regeneration over the last few years.

Council leader Eddie McAvoy said: “There is no doubt that Whitehill is an outstanding example of how successful regeneration can transform not only the physical appearance of a community but also the lives and opportunities for local residents.”

Accounts Commissioners were this week due to discuss the findings of a similar audit into the work of North Lanarkshire Council which has been completed.

It is expected that this report will be made public next week.