£170 million of Scottish money could be used better
A new Audit Scotland report, released today, has revealed that £170 million of Scottish public money could be used better .
COSLA, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, has, however, branded elements of the public spending watchdog’s annual report “inappropriate and unhelpful”.
Audit Scotland, which is responsible for ensuring that public money is spent effectively and efficiently, published its annual report for 2003/04 today.
The report is generally positive, noting that there were “continuing improvements in councils’ financial controls”, but it did note that there is the “potential” for £170 million of public money to be used better.
Two areas, council properties and the health service, are singled out for possible savings. Firstly, Audit Scotland says that there is £130 million of outstanding council tax and £28.5 million of unpaid council house rent. In the health service, it says that £14 million could be saved through improved prescription practises, and £6 million through better hospital catering.
Auditor General Robert Black said that financial stewardship across the NHS, local government and central government was “generally sound”.
COSLA though is unhappy. Its finance spokesman, Councillor John Pentland, said: “Once again we see Audit Scotland leading with the negative. It seems to me that Audit Scotland keep wanting to introduce more hoops for councils to jump through.
“I think it is both inappropriate and unhelpful that instead of acknowledging the positive efforts of councils in relation to council tax collection what we see is a line from them about funds having the opportunity to be better used.
“It is incredible that since local government reorganisation in 1996 councils have collected almost 94 per cent of all council tax due and yet we have Audit Scotland still wanting us to raise our game. I have no problem with them seeking further improvement but would also appreciate a bit of credit where credit is due.”
