Best Value Audit

The Highland Council is one of five councils in Scotland which will be subject to a detailed review of its performance by the Audit Commission.

The Pathfinder Best Value Review is a live audit which will assess how well the Council is managed and the quality of Council services. It will also assess the progress the Council has made since an earlier audit in 2006 and provide judgements on the pace and direction of change and the Council’s capacity for improvement.

The Council will provide evidence of its performance and this will be considered by the audit team along with information from external inspections and audits. The scope of the audit will be confirmed in early September with the audit team on site in the autumn.

Best value audits normally look at community leadership, the use of resources, community engagement, how the council works with other bodies, its governance and accountability arrangements and service performance as well as the Council’s commitment to improvement.

Other councils undergoing a Best Value 2 Audit are Angus, Dundee, East Ayrshire and Scottish Borders.

Best Value 2 reports are expected in early 2010.

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