Scotland's councils need to significantly increase the pace and scale of their service transformation or risk facing harder decisions and greater costs in future years, according to a report by the Accounts Commission watchdog.
The watchdog's analysis of 22 Scottish councils found a mixed picture, with half yet to clearly detail how transformation activity will support their long-term financial sustainability.
More than a third of councils have not sufficiently determined the financial impacts of their transformation plans.
The report highlighted concerns around community engagement, with limited evidence that consultation had influenced project design and delivery.
Accounts Commission member Jennifer Henderson said a ‘shift in pace, scale and ambition is needed' and warned that failing to engage communities risked councils having to withdraw plans or face legal challenges.
The commission called on councils to ensure transformation plans were sufficiently ambitious, clearly linked to strategic priorities and transparent about planned savings.
