What plans it has to ensure better monitoring, transparency and accountability by local authorities in respect of local roads maintenance.

The Scottish Executive put inplace Best Value arrangements which require continuous improvement in the dischargeof local authority functions, including better monitoring, transparency and accountability.These arrangements are subject to a rolling programme of monitoring by Audit Scotland.
To support local authoritiesin meeting their statutory responsibilities for local roads, the Spending Review2004 provided them with an additional £60 million per annum to help meet their callsfor more support in improving the condition of Scotland’s local roads from 2005-06.I would expect each council to ensure that the additional funding is spent effectivelyon road maintenance in their area.