Edinburgh Council urged to heed community opinions, says Accounts Commission.

The City of Edinburgh Council has been urged to listen and take action on the views of its residents and communities as it contemplates options to achieve significant savings, according to the latest report by the Accounts Commission.

The Controller of Audit’s Best Value Assurance Report has emphasised the necessity for the council to find sustainable ways to deliver differently, improve performance, and reduce costs, with over £100 million in savings required by 2029.

While the council has plans to borrow money for enhancing housing and school buildings, the report cautions that these plans must be carefully managed to ensure affordability and prevent negative impacts on services.

Although progress has been made in many areas, including housing, waste management, and street cleanliness, a decline in performance in certain aspects has been noted. The Accounts Commission acknowledges the council’s ambitious goals of ending poverty and achieving net zero status by 2030 but highlights the significant work required to reach these targets, especially in establishing cost implications.

Accounts Commission chair, Jo Armstrong, stressed the importance of accelerating the council’s transformation and change programme in response to growing financial challenges and increased demand. She highlighted the critical role of listening to and acting on the views of staff and local communities in this process.

In his response to the report, council leader Cammy Day expressed encouragement over the progress made since 2020. He underlined the council’s commitment to protecting essential services, investing in a fairer, greener future, and focusing on eradicating poverty and achieving net zero status by 2030.

Day also acknowledged the need for continued efforts to improve services, particularly in addressing Edinburgh’s housing emergency. He mentioned the council’s adoption of new technologies to facilitate access to services and the anticipated benefits of the Visitor Levy proposals, projected to generate significant revenue for the city by 2030.

However, Day cautioned about the forthcoming difficult financial decisions, given Edinburgh’s status as the lowest-funded council per capita in Scotland. With a projected budget deficit of at least £30 million in the next year, the council is preparing to work even harder to deliver value for Edinburgh’s residents.

In conclusion, while the City of Edinburgh Council faces substantial challenges, it remains committed to listening to its community, driving positive change, and working towards a sustainable and prosperous future for all.