Dumfries and Galloway leaders praised despite budget challenge

The Accounts Commission report praised the leadership at Dumfries and Galloway Council

A watchdog has praised the strong leadership at a Scottish council but warned it faces major challenges to balance its budget in years to come.

The Accounts Commission said the Dumfries and Galloway authority had a good financial track record.

However, it said it could not underestimate the challenge of meeting a £38m savings target over five years.

It also criticised a lack of information in its plans to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2025.

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The Accounts Commission report looked at Dumfries and Galloway Council (DGC) for the financial year 2022/23 and also the challenges ahead.

It found it had clear plans to transform services in order to balance future budgets but urged it to provide clearer and more accessible information to the public about its savings plans.

The report estimated that savings of about £7m needed to be achieved to balance its budget in 2023/24 with cumulative savings of £38m needed by 2027/28.

Christine Lester, a member of the Accounts Commission, said: "DGC has made significant progress over recent years, with strong leadership and a clear vision.

"As the council recognises, balancing future budgets relies on making changes to how it delivers services.

"Councillors and officers cannot underestimate the challenges to achieve this, and they need to make sure they are reporting clearly to citizens about their progress and performance."

'Difficult decisions'

Ms Lester said local authorities faced "increasingly constrained budgets" and warned "difficult decisions" about services would have to be made.

"It makes it more important for the council to continue the effective way it engages with its communities," she added.

DGC said it was examining the contents of the report.

"We welcome the controller of audit's report to the Accounts Commission and are delighted that the hard work being undertaken every day by our dedicated staff at Dumfries and Galloway Council is being recognised at a national level," said a statement.

"We look forward to digesting it further and are already actively implementing the report's recommendations."