Current Petitions

Petition PE450, from Mr Stan Gregory, concerns the review of the objectives and structure of Scottish local authorities. The committee has already considered this petition and a similar, earlier petition. We agreed to refer PE450 to the Scottish Executive and COSLA to ask for their comments. The petition concerns the effect of monitoring and improving the efficiency of local authorities.COSLA's brief response expresses the view that existing systems of scrutiny are sufficient to monitor the efficiency of local government. Therefore, COSLA does not support the petitioner's view that resources should be deployed to employ independent professional consultants for that purpose.The Executive's response provides details of additional resources that it provides through local councils to deliver service improvements. Over the three years of the current spending review, grant to local authorities will increase by £1.4 billion to more than £7 billion by 2003-04. The Executive makes it clear that it is for local authorities to organise and deliver services that are appropriate to local needs, although it is keen to promote good practice and innovation.The response points out that the local government bill will create a new statutory duty to pursue continuous improvement and will extend councils' obligations to report on their performance. The bill will also strengthen the Accounts Commission's responsibilities for monitoring council performance. The Executive's response also provides details of the piloting of local outcome agreements in several authorities.The Executive states that ministers are considering what further support can be provided to assist councils in adopting best practice and to promote continuous improvement. Where appropriate, that might include the involvement of relevant external expertise.It appears that the Executive is active in pursuing initiatives to help improve the efficiency of local government in Scotland. It will soon create a statutory duty for councils to pursue improvement in their performance and monitoring procedures. It is interesting to note that the involvement of external expertise, which the petitioner suggested, may be considered.In the light of the steps that the Executive is taking, it is suggested that we should agree to copy the responses from the Executive and COSLA to the petitioner and take no further action. Is that agreed?Members indicated agreement.