Best Value Assurance Report on Moray Council released

At the end of last year and into the first months of 2020, the council was inspected by auditors from the Accounts Commission.

This is a regular occurrence for all councils, who generally have an inspection every five years. The resulting report, the Best Value Assurance Report (BVAR), highlights areas where it considers the council needs to improve. Similarly it can welcome examples of good practice. The Commission makes a number of recommendations based on the audit.

A copy of the report and the Commission's newsletter is available or you can go to the Accounts Commission website.

Whilst it makes difficult reading, the council welcomes the report and commission findings, which acknowledge the good work already underway in the areas highlighted by inspectors.

The report and findings provide a sharpened focus on the challenges we face, and officers have begun work on a plan to address these over the next 18 months.

Delivering the committed and decisive leadership called for by the Accounts Commission requires acceptance of change in the way the council works, at both officer and councillor level.

Vital to this will be greater collaboration to pave the way for transformation at strategic level in both our school estate and the delivery of our services to the Moray community.

Our continuing experience dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic has thrown the need for strong partnership working and collaboration into sharp relief and the council will do all in its power to ensure that lessons will be learned from this.

To deliver transformation, over £3m has been earmarked from council reserves to address issues highlighted in the report - including pace and capacity. We are confident this will ensure that Moray is best equipped for the challenges ahead.