Auditors warn Edinburgh faces difficult financial future

The City of Edinburgh Council is facing a challenging financial future and needs to identify further savings, warns the Accounts Commission.

In its Best Value audit report, the Commission says the council has improved services and the way it works, but it must give ‘absolute priority’ to making sure planned savings are delivered.

The council has outlined savings of £41m in its four-year budget, but will still need to identify an additional £43m by 2017-18.

Chair of the Accounts Commission, John Baillie, said: ‘The council does have plans for the next four years but there are significant risks and uncertainties around whether these targets are achievable.

‘Its prospects for future improvement depend heavily on it achieving planned savings and addressing the funding gaps that remain. The council should give absolute priority to making sure the savings are delivered.’

The auditors also say the council needs to develop a comprehensive workforce strategy and improve on a range of services such as adult social care and waste management.