CNES Annual Report 03/04

Audit & Scrutiny

“The role of the Audit and Scrutiny Committee is to promote high standards of conduct by Members and to provide an objective evaluation of performance for the Committee. The Committee ensures the Comhairle has an effective and fair appeals mechanism and helps to promote high quality service delivery from all Comhairle services.”

Donald I Nicholson
Chairman: Audit & Scrutiny Committee

Photos [L/R]:
Briony Jones, who is a member of the Internal Strategy Team • Diane Macleod, Norma Skinner, Lachlan MacPherson working in the Chief Executives office

Community Focus:
Comhairle Receptionist Kathryn Graham talking to a fellow Comhairle staff member

Throughout 2003/04, the Audit and Scrutiny Committee has endeavoured to satisfy the expectations of service users and fulfil the requirements of the Local Government in Scotland Act by encouraging a consistently high level of service from Comhairle Members and departmental staff. Regular monitoring of conduct and a rolling programme of reviews has been instrumental in delivering best value to all members of the community and maintaining a culture of continuous improvement of Comhairle services.

Key Achievements

The Comhairle’s annual accounts were amended during 2003/04 to include a new statement of internal financial controls with the aim of providing greater transparency.
Departmental Business Plans came under regular scrutiny through a Performance Monitoring Framework. All Business Plans now include clear objectives, targets and measurement systems designed to support the implementation of the Comhairle’s Corporate Strategy.
Using the CIPFA/SOLACE Framework, an Audit of Corporate Governance was completed.
A rolling programme was put in place to review the Comhairle’s constitutional documents and to provide regular monitoring of Best Value in relation to the Comhairle’s departments and strategies.

Looking Ahead

Based on the results of the Community Consultation Exercise, a series of Best Value Reviews of Comhairle services will be commissioned during 2004/05 with the express aim of improving standards and providing reassurance on the quality of services. Specially chosen ‘Select Committees’ will be used to investigate specific concerns raised by Comhairle Members or members of the public. A database of Service Standards is also planned. Individual Committee Members are expected to play a greater role in Best Value reviews during 2004/05.

Other reviews planned for 2004/05 include a Scrutiny review of the New Community Schools Exit Strategy, a review of the Scheme of Delegation and Contract Regulations and a programme of in-depth reviews of all Comhairle policies and services.

Are you Getting Best Value from Comhairle Services?

Finding out what local people across the Western Isles expect from Comhairle services – and establishing where their concerns lie – is an essential part of the work of the Audit and Scrutiny Committee. In February 2004, the Committee commissioned a Community Consultation Exercise involving Elected Members, Community Councils and Voluntary and Community Groups. Respondents were asked to comment on the quality of services, the policies governing services and on the potential for improving services. The results of the consultation, which was carried out by the Comhairle’s Internal Strategy Team, will pave the way for a series of in-depth Best Value Reviews in 2004/05.

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