A good performance from East Ayrshire Council and it is well placed for further improvement

Services in East Ayrshire are performing well overall and partnership working within the council area is highly effective. However, improvement is still needed in some important areas.

The findings follow the Accounts Commission’s consideration of the Best Value 2 pathfinder audit report compiled by Audit Scotland. East Ayrshire Council is one of five local authorities that are part of the pathfinder process and this is the second pathfinder report to be published.

The Commission found that the council and its partners are aware of the needs of local people, allowing them to develop clear plans for the area. Performance measures show that services are generally performing well and there has been an increase in public satisfaction with some services such as libraries, primary schools and local council offices.

However, improvement is needed in some important areas, including aspects of social services and planning and performance on some outcome indicators in areas like economic regeneration and health are below the national average. There has also been a drop in public satisfaction with the quality of some services, such as repairs to roads, paths and cycle paths, street cleaning and refuse collection. The council is aware of these issues and has plans in place to make progress.

Chair of the Accounts Commission, John Baillie, said:

“The council has shown that it is prepared to meet the challenge of sustaining improvement. The Commission particularly welcomes the council’s commitment to self-evaluation and the way it identifies and plans for improvement. It has a track record of delivering improvement and continues to address areas where development is needed.”

The council’s chief executive provides strong and effective leadership and there are good relationships between elected members and officers.

John Baillie continued:

“Elected members have a sound understanding of their communities. They need, however, to keep developing their skills so they can provide strong strategic leadership, and challenge and hold officers to account.