Title

EDUCATION

Scottish council told to improve housing and education services

Aberdeen City Council has been warned to improve its housing and education services by the public spending watchdog.

Aberdeen City Council has been warned to improve its housing and education services by the public spending watchdog.

A new report from the Accounts Commission praised how the council had improved over the past five years, addressing many of the issues affecting its performance.

However, it warned housing and education still needed to improve significantly.

Interim chair of the Accounts Commission, Elma Murray, said: ‘The council has an innovative outlook in delivering a new economic vision for the city, working well with its partners to achieve this, but the council will continue to face significant financial pressures, made more pronounced by COVID-19.

'As well as tough budget choices and managing the impacts of a volatile global oil and gas market, the council must address its underperforming education and housing services.

'The council must build on its recent progress to address how it delivers services, continue to work with communities and develop how it reports on its performance as the city recovers from the pandemic.'

EDUCATION

Developing strong local partnerships is critical if the Department of Education is to achieve its objectives

By Emma Willson | 08 June 2026

Effective partnerships, clear accountability and stronger evidence are essential if central and local government are to improve outcomes for children and del...

EDUCATION

Will devo and LGR be at local government's cost?

By Mo Baines | 08 June 2026

Are devolution and LGR a misdirected pursuit of growth at the expense of local government? Mo Baines argues that councils’ crucial role as convenors of local...

EDUCATION

Council urged to communicate better with residents

By Neil Merrick | 05 June 2026

A Scottish council has been urged to communicate more effectively with residents over financial savings and changes in the way it provides services.

EDUCATION

MPs scold Home Office over lack of council involvement in asylum

By Dan Peters | 05 June 2026

Local authorities still lack a ‘meaningful say’ in asylum accommodation decisions, a cross-party committee of MPs has warned.

Popular articles by Laura Sharman