Title

FINANCE

Council makes 'significant improvements'

Inverclyde Council has made ‘significant improvements’ in its financial management and service delivery, auditors have found.

Inverclyde Council has made ‘significant improvements' in its financial management and service delivery, auditors have found.

The Accounts Commission said the council had ‘changed significantly' since 2005, when it found serious failings by the authority in meeting its legal duty to demonstrate Best Value and continuous improvement.

It said Inverclyde had developed a positive culture of improvement and collaborative leadership with a ‘clear vision'.

Audit Scotland described Inverclyde's financial management as ‘effective,' pointing to proposals that have already been worked up to yield savings of around £20m.

Acting chair of the commission, Ronnie Hinds, said: ‘Inverclyde has made real improvements and is doing well in many areas. 

‘However, the council still faces big challenges and needs to maintain this positive momentum.'

FINANCE

Political convenience is no justification for unconstitutional local election tinkering

By Colin Copus | 02 February 2026

The Government’s decision to ‘postpone or cancel’ local elections is ‘a travesty of constitutional propriety’ say emeritus professors Steve Leach and Colin C...

FINANCE

Government plans for rent convergence fall short of sector demands

By Paul Marinko | 30 January 2026

The Government has failed to meet sector demands on rent convergence, despite the financial pressures on housing costs facing councils.

FINANCE

The challenges, opportunities and risks of devo

By Martin Ford | 29 January 2026

The Government’s drive for devolution is set to radically alter the landscape of local government. The National Audit Office (NAO) and The MJ brought togethe...

FINANCE

£2.8bn wages hike looms amid unions pay demands

By EXCLUSIVE by Martin Ford | 29 January 2026

Local government’s wage bill would have to surge by £2.8bn to meet the demands laid down in unions’ pay claim for 2026-27, it has been estimated.

Popular articles by William Eichler