Inverclyde: reasons not to feel comfortable

Much bashing of Inverclyde today, perhaps some of it deserved. I feel less than convinced, however - partly because, as a Lib Dem council, Inverclyde makes a convenient target. Would the same criticisms be levied at a Labour council? Labour municipalism is not exactly a by-word for efficiency. And why no comments from the otherwise ubiquitous Deputy First Minister? Is he quietly seething?

The recommendations of the Accounts Commission for the Council are as follows:

i. The Council should immediately carry out a recovery exercise which addresses core problems in the organisation.
ii. The Council should undertake a fundamental review of its management and service structure arrangements based on a clear and logical analysis of customer need as well as organisational
efficiency;
iii. The Council should undertake a review of the management capacity required to deliver on the challenges facing Inverclyde in terms of skills, knowledge and experience.
iv. The Council should undertake a performance review of all services, focusing on the identification of customer needs and the establishment of a clear performance baseline for all services from which targets can be set and against which future performance can be
measured.
v. Action should be taken by members and senior managers to develop an effective working relationship that supports the needs of the organisation and the delivery of Best Value services to the people of Inverclyde.
vi. The Council should secure appropriate external assistance, both on a consultancy basis and at a governance level from elected member and chief executive peers, during this recovery exercise.

This seems rather woolly, if fashionably couched in public sector management speak. Just what are the real problems and what should the Council be doing to address them?

Finally, I wonder if the criticisms are not reflective of a wider problem which is that too many Scottish local authorities are simply too small to be able deliver their services in an efficient way.

Anyway, if you are interested, read the actual Audit Scotland report.