Falkirk looks better, feels better, thinks differently
Falkirk Council’s vision, leadership, performance and management arrangements are currently being examined by independent auditors from Audit Scotland.
The Audit of Best Value & Community Planning is a rolling programme to audit every Council in Scotland and Falkirk is in the process of being assessed.
The first stage in the process was for the Council to provide Audit Scotland with a written submission about all aspects of its work, including our own view of our performance and a plan covering any areas we need to improve. Our Submission was passed to the auditors in March and takes as its theme the dramatic physical, environmental and social changes in the Council area during recent years, summed up as:
Falkirk looks better
There are iconic new buildings, an exciting strategy to transform our town centres, better housing, good parks and open spaces, new roads, business parks and schools.
Falkirk feels better
The community has higher ambition and increased civic pride, our external reputation has been transformed, we have an informed understanding of what needs to be improved, a higher national profile, more engaged citizens, more effective partnerships and healthier, safer and more robust communities.
Falkirk thinks differently
We are more innovative and creative, greener and cleaner, more confident about celebrating our achievements and telling others we’re aiming high, more community focused and increasingly aspirational.
The audit process
Following the handover of the submission, the Council made a formal presentation to the Audit Scotland team in March. The auditors are now taking an in-depth look at all aspects of the Council. This includes reviewing the vision for our area, which was developed in partnership with the community and partners from the public, private and voluntary sectors and is set out in our Strategic Community Plan; how we measure and manage our performance; how we consult and engage with our local communities; how we manage risk and our resources, including finance and buildings; and how we support and develop our 7,000 employees.
Once the audit is completed the auditors will compile a draft report and the Council will have the opportunity to comment on this before it is finalised.
The final stage in the process will be the publication of Audit Scotland’s final report which we anticipate will happen either towards the end of 2007 or early in 2008.