The Accounts Commission has highlighted the Improvement Service and SOLACE Transformation Programme as a “positive development representing a radical change to how councils work towards transformation” in a new report.
In ‘Transformation in councils: sector-led change and collaboration to achieve financial sustainability’ the Commission states that as financial and service demands deepen, councils must significantly increase the pace and scale of major changes if they are to protect vital public services.
The IS/Solace Transformation Programme is developing proposals for a future operating model for councils and options for future delivery of council services. The report welcomes its sector-led approach as a positive change to how councils work towards transformation. Whilst still in its early stages, it notes that good progress has been made in engaging with most councils and a small number of other public service bodies. However, it warns that there are risks around workforce capacity and skills to realise its ambitions, given the need to continue delivering vital services every day.
The report also states that councils cannot deliver the required reforms alone and it is essential that all relevant public bodies, including the Scottish Government, community planning partners, third sector and communities, recognise the urgent need to collaborate to help deliver the change needed. A determination from both Scottish and local government to deliver on the commitments made in the Verity House Agreement is also critical.
Jennifer Henderson, Accounts Commission member, said:
“Local government has been transforming how they deliver services for years. But given growing demand and ongoing financial pressures, councils must now move with an ambition and pace we’ve not yet seen if they’re going to successfully address the financial sustainability, workforce and service challenges they’re facing.
“To protect vital services, to pivot to prevention and increase the pace of collaboration, councils must commit to and sustain their own transformation programmes, whilst collaborating with sector-led work.
“Successful delivery of transformation programme is essential to achieve financial sustainability and improve the lives of individuals and communities. Collaborating with others, both within an outwith local government, will be a key part of the solution.”
The full report is available on the Accounts Commission website.