Environmental & regulatory services

Performance Indicators 2003/04
Comparing the performance of Scottish Councils

Prepared for the Accounts Commission
February 2005

The Accounts Commission
The Accounts Commission is a statutory, independent body which, through the audit process, assists local authorities in Scotland to achieve the highest standards of financial stewardship and the economic, efficient and effective use of their resources. The Commission has four main responsibilities:

• securing the external audit including the audit of Best Value and community planning

• following up issues of concern identified through the audit, to ensure satisfactory resolutions

• carrying out national Best Value studies to improve economy, efficiency and effectiveness in local government

• issuing an annual direction to local authorities which sets out the range of performance information they are required to publish.

The Commission secures the audit of 32 councils and 34 joint boards (including police and fire services). Local authorities spend over £9 billion of public funds a year.

Audit Scotland is a statutory body set up in April 2000 under the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000. It provides services to the Auditor General for Scotland and the Accounts Commission. Together they ensure that the Scottish Executive and public sector bodies in Scotland are held to account for the proper, efficient and effective use of public funds.

Main findings

Education & children’s services

Indicator 1
Methods of waste disposal
Councils reported that around 1.8 million tonnes of biodegradable waste was used for landfill, a slight increase compared with last year (1.78 million tonnes). The target is to reduce the amount of biodegradable waste to 1.5 million tonnes by 2006.

Councils recycled and composted 12.3% of waste in 2003/04, an increase of 2.7% compared with the previous year (9.6%). The target is to recycle 25% by 2006.

Indicator 2
Refuse collection and disposal costs
Across Scotland, the average gross cost of refuse collection per property was £52.59, an increase (4%) compared with the previous year. Costs varied from £32 in South Ayrshire to £70 in Argyll & Bute.

The average gross cost of refuse disposal per property was £58.43, an increase of 6% compared with the previous year and a 31% increase since 2000/01. Costs of disposal varied widely from £35 in North Ayrshire to £115 in Argyll & Bute.

Indicator 3
Food hygiene inspections
Over 94% of food hygiene inspections within the two highest risk categories were carried out within the target time, a similar percentage to previous years. Twenty-five of the 31 councils that reported reliable information (excluding Shetland Islands) carried out at least nine in every ten inspections within the target time.

Indicator 4
Planning applications
In 2003/04, 64% of all planning applications were determined within two months, a reduction compared with the previous year (67%). The Scottish Executive’s Planning Guideline of determining 80% within two months was introduced in 2000. Clackmannanshire was the only council to meet the guideline for all applications. Councils reported that they dealt with:

• 80% of householder applications within two months, a reduction compared with the previous year (83%)

• 49% of non-householder applications within two months, a reduction compared with the previous year (53%).

Eilean Siar and Orkney Islands reported unreliable information for this indicator.

Indicator 5
Road network condition
Across Scotland, around 45% of the road network is either in need of repair or requiring further investigation. The proportion varied widely between councils from 23% in West Lothian to 62% in the City of Edinburgh.

Indicator 6 
Repairs to faulty street and traffic lights
In 2003/04, councils reported that they carried out 94% of repairs to faulty street lights within seven days, an increase compared with the previous year (91%). The proportion of repairs carried out within seven days varied among councils from 63% in Shetland Islands to 100% in South Lanarkshire.

Across Scotland, 93% of repairs to traffic lights were carried out within 48 hours, which continues the year-on-year improvement over the past six years. Repairs carried out within the target time varied from none in Shetland Islands to 100% in Argyll & Bute, Dundee City, Moray and Scottish Borders. 

Indicator 7
Noise complaints
In 2003/04, Scottish councils received slightly over 10,300 noise complaints. They dealt with 2,300 at first point of contact to the satisfaction of the complainer, and 8,000 required further investigation.

Overall, 65% of complaints were settled within 14 days, ranging from 13% in Scottish Borders to 99% in Aberdeenshire.

Introduction

Each year councils publish a range of information to show people how well they are providing their services and how they compare with other bodies.

This pamphlet contains information on seven indicators relating to councils’ management of environmental and regulatory services. The indicators are:

•  methods of household waste disposal
•  refuse collection and disposal costs
•  the proportion of food hygiene inspections undertaken within target time
•  the proportion of planning applications processed within target time
• the proportion of the road network that should be considered for maintenance treatment
• the time taken to repair faulty street lights and faulty traffic lights
• the number and proportion of noise complaints that were settled within 14 days of receipt.

Using the information
Several factors affect the way a council performs its activities. You need to be aware of these in order to understand why results may vary. Some of these factors are outwith the control of a council - for example, population size and density, geographical area, and the mix between urban and rural settlements. Others may be specific to the service or the groups of people it serves. These local factors may mean that a council with a performance which, at first sight, appears to be worse than that of another has, in fact, done better given the circumstances it faces.

The statutory performance indicators cover key aspects of the performance of council services. Further information that may be of assistance in assessing the performance of these services can be found on each council’s web site. The following websites also contain useful information:

Scottish Executive
www.scotland.gov.uk

Scottish Environment Protection Agency
www.sepa.org.uk

Food Standards Agency
www.food.gov.uk/scotland

In this pamphlet we have shown information for councils for 2003/04 and where appropriate made comparison with previous years. 

Key
Councils have a statutory obligation to report the information for each indicator. In cases where a council has failed to do so it is shown in the narrative and tables for the relevant indicator as ‘failed to report’.

Auditors appointed by the Accounts Commission have reviewed authorities’ arrangements for producing performance information. An asterisk (*) against the data for a council indicates that the auditor expressed doubts about the reliability of its arrangements for producing the information. In such cases we have shown the information separately and have not included it in the calculation of overall Scottish averages, although such information was included prior to 2001/02.

Other pamphlets published by the Commission cover:

Corporate management
Cultural and community services
Education and Children’s services
Housing and social work services
Police and fire services

For 2003/04 the Commission will be reporting 77 indicators of the performance of council, fire and police services. The publication process will involve:

• six published pamphlets featuring 48 indicators
• a compendium  of information on all 77 indicators on the Commission’s website
• individual council profiles on the website.

The indicators are selected by the Commission according to criteria identified in consultation with CoSLA, SOLACE, the Scottish Consumer Council and the Scottish Executive. They are kept under review and the Commission consults about any changes it considers making. The Commission will review its approach to statutory performance indicators in the light of the new requirement on councils to report their performance publicly, and the new Best Value audits of each council and police and fire authority.

Indicator 1: Waste disposal

The methods of disposal of household, commercial and industrial waste and the proportion that was recycled.

This indicator shows the proportion of waste that was used for landfill, recycled or used for other recovery purposes including energy from waste.

Recycling and recovery methods include waste used for the recovery of heat, power and other energy sources, composting, and the reuse of ash following waste incineration.

Points to bear in mind
The Scottish Executive has set targets for councils to achieve by 2006:

• Reduction in landfilling of biodegradable waste to 1.5 million tonnes.

• Increase in the amount of waste that is recycled or composted to 25%. 

Commentary
Local authorities collected 3.3 million tonnes of waste in 2003/04 compared with 3.2 million tonnes the previous year. Household waste accounted for 2.66 million tonnes (80% of all waste collected). On average, each household produces slightly over 
1.1 tonne of refuse per year, while each trade and commercial property produces around six tonnes per year. One-third of all waste in Scotland is generated in four council areas (City of Edinburgh, Fife, Glasgow City and North Lanarkshire).

Landfill
Councils reported that around 1.8 million tonnes of biodegradable waste was used for landfill, a slight increase compared with last year (1.78 million tonnes). The target is to reduce the amount to 1.5 million tonnes by 2006. 

Twelve councils reported that 90% or more of their waste goes to landfill sites. 

Recycling 
Councils recycled and composted 12.3% of waste in 2003/04, an increase of 2.7% compared with the previous year (9.6%). Materials such as glass and paper accounted for 9% of recycling, green waste used for composting accounted for 3%, and 0.3% was ash recycled and used in the construction industry. The amount of waste recycled varied widely, ranging from 3.8% in Dumfries & Galloway to 25.1% in Angus. Four councils (Angus, East Renfrewshire, North Ayrshire and Dundee City) recycled more than 20% of their waste. Thirty of the 32 councils increased recycling compared with previous years, with only Aberdeenshire and Dundee City reporting slight reductions. The four councils with the highest increase in recycling levels compared with the previous year were Fife (11.7%), Moray (6.1%), North Ayrshire (8%), and South Lanarkshire (5%). 

Recovery of heat, power and other energy sources
There are two incineration plants in Scotland. One is used by Angus, Perth & Kinross and Dundee City, the other by Orkney and the Shetland Islands. These councils reported that 2.3% of the waste they collected was recovered for heat, power or other energy sources – a slight reduction compared with the previous year (2.5%). Three councils recycle ash which is used in the construction industry: Dundee City (8.1%), Angus (3.3%), and Perth & Kinross (0.4%).

Indicator 2: Cost of refuse collection and disposal

The gross cost of refuse collection and disposal per property.

This indicator shows the overall cost per property to each council of collecting and disposing of refuse. This covers both domestic and commercial premises and includes the direct costs of collecting and disposing of refuse, for example depots, vehicles and the wages of the crews involved, together with indirect costs (eg, management overheads).

The Commission’s report Benchmarking refuse collection (April 2000) arranged councils into family groups based on population dispersal and the number of properties served. Councils have been divided into three groups – urban, mixed urban/rural and rural – to allow fairer comparison to be made. These groupings have been used for the purposes of this indicator.

Points to bear in mind
The majority of councils collect domestic refuse once a week, though a small number collect twice a week, mainly for tenement and high rise flats. Commercial uplifts are generally carried out two or three times a week. Some councils undertake separate collections of garden refuse and waste paper.

New funding provided by the Scottish Executive to encourage councils to reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill and do more, for example, segregation of waste for recycling purposes will lead to increases in the cost of collecting waste. The European Union landfill directive may also mean that councils incur higher costs disposing of waste. 

Most councils use the wheeled bin method of collection. Alternative methods are the collection of static bins or sacks from backdoor or kerbside.

A council that has a population which is scattered over a wide geographical area is likely to incur higher cost than one with a relatively concentrated population. However, in urban areas traffic congestion and restricted access to collection points can increase costs.

The cost of waste disposal also includes, for example, landfill management, recycling plant and landfill tax. 

The cost per property may be affected by the allocation of overhead costs to these functions. This should follow CIPFA guidance, but may nevertheless vary among councils.

Commentary 
Refuse collection
Across Scotland, the average gross cost of refuse collection per property was £52.59, an increase of 4% compared with the previous year. Costs varied from £32 in South Ayrshire to £70 in Argyll & Bute. Six councils (Aberdeenshire, East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, Moray, South Ayrshire and Falkirk) reported gross costs per property of less than £45, while seven councils (Argyll & Bute, Clackmannanshire, City of Edinburgh, Eilean Siar, Orkney Islands, Shetland Islands, and Stirling) reported gross costs per property of more than £60. Four of the seven councils with the highest cost per property are in the rural group of councils.

Twenty-two councils reported higher costs compared with the previous year, the highest increases were in Scottish Borders (11%), Midlothian (14%), Fife (17%), Clackmannanshire (20%), and South Lanarkshire (32%). Ten councils reported lower costs compared with the previous year.

Refuse disposal
The average gross cost per property for refuse disposal was £58.43, an increase  of 6% compared with the previous year and a 31% increase since 2000/01. Costs of disposal varied widely from £35 in North Ayrshire to £115 in Argyll & Bute.

Nine councils reported costs of disposal above £70 per property, while Scottish Borders, North Ayrshire and North Lanarkshire reported costs below £40 per property. Seven of the nine councils with the highest costs are in the rural group of councils.

Twenty-two councils reported higher costs per property compared with the previous year. The highest increases were in Midlothian (18%), East Dunbartonshire (19%), South Ayrshire (17%), South Lanarkshire (28%), East Renfrewshire (56%), and Highland (70%).

Indicator 3: Food hygiene inspections

The number of establishments in the two highest risk categories requiring inspections during the year, and the percentage of inspections which were undertaken within the prescribed period.

Food hygiene inspections confirm that the processing, cooking, handling and storage of food at business premises meet the requirements of the Food Safety Act Code of Practice issued in 2000 and identify potential risks to the health of the public.

Business premises dealing in food are categorised according to the frequency with which they should be inspected, depending on their level of risk to food safety. The higher the level of risk, the more often inspections should be carried out. 

This indicator specifies two categories of premises according to the target time between inspections: 

• Within six months – premises with the highest risk of food hygiene problems, requiring the most frequent inspection visits.

• Between six and 12 months – premises with an intermediate level of risk.

This indicator reports councils’ planned food hygiene inspection workload and their success in achieving their inspection targets. 

Points to bear in mind
Factors that influence a council’s decision on the required number of inspections are:

• the likely risk according to the type of food

• the extent to which food is handled, and the risk of cross-contamination where a process involves both raw and cooked food

• the method of processing – particularly where conditions may favour the growth of food poisoning organisms, eg, canning, vacuum packing and any process where temperature is a controlling factor

• the number of consumers likely to be put at risk if there is a failure in food hygiene and safety procedures

• the cleanliness, layout, lighting, ventilation and structural condition of 
the premises

• the attitude and technical knowledge of the management on hygiene and safety matters. 

Some premises, particularly those in the ‘within six months’ risk category, may be visited more frequently due to their high level of risk but these additional visits are not reflected in the indicator.

Commentary
Almost 8,800 premises were subject to food hygiene inspections in 2003/04. For the two highest risk categories this represents a reduction where direct comparison could be made with previous years. 

As a result of the The Pennington report (1997) councils’ risk assessment of premises has changed. This has resulted in a significant reduction in the number of premises that fall within the highest risk ‘within six month’ category. In 2003/04, there were 1,251 properties in this risk category, which is a significant reduction since 1998/99.

Over 94% of inspections within the two highest risk categories were carried out within the target time, a similar percentage to the previous two years. Twenty-five of the 31 councils that reported reliable information (excluding Shetland Islands) carried out at least nine in every ten inspections within the target time. Six councils (Dumfries & Galloway, Falkirk, Moray, Orkney Islands, Perth & Kinross and Scottish Borders) carried out fewer than nine in ten inspections within target time.

Indicator 4: Planning applications

The percentage of planning applications dealt with within two months.

This indicator provides information on how long it takes each council to deal with planning applications by:

• householders seeking approval to build extensions to their homes, or to make other alterations to their properties which need permission 

• non-householders, such as developers seeking approval for a wide range of generally larger developments. 

In dealing with planning applications, councils:

• consult on and assess the application

• decide whether to approve the application

• notify the applicant of the decision.

Points to bear in mind
Householders have to notify their neighbours that they have submitted an application and councils are usually required to carry out only limited consultations before a decision is reached. Many of these applications are straightforward and result in permission being granted. However, applications by non-householders are generally more complex and the time to deal with them may require to be extended where: 

• the council needs to undertake an analysis of the impact on either the environment or the local economy

• an application requires an agreement between the council and the applicant regulating the future use of the land or development

• an application is contrary to the approved local or structure plan. 

The time taken to deal with an application will be affected by:

• the extent to which councillors delegate responsibility for approving applications to staff (greater delegation will generally allow applications to be processed more quickly)

• whether there are any objections to the application (eg, from neighbouring property owners)

• the proportion of cases where an applicant needs to submit amended plans before the planning officer feels able to recommend approval.

Some cases, particularly those in conservation areas or affecting listed buildings, may take longer to deal with because of the need for additional advertising and consultation. 
In 2000, the Scottish Executive published a National Planning Policy Guideline NPPG 1 (revised) which set the following targets:
• 	80% of all planning applications should be determined within two months

• 	90% of householder planning applications should be determined within 
two months.

Commentary
Thirty councils reported reliable information for this indicator. Eilean Siar and Orkney Islands reported unreliable information. Councils determined 51,400 planning applications, an increase of 3,736 (8%) compared with the previous year. Slightly over 24,500 were household applications and almost 27,000 were non-householder applications.

All planning applications
In 2003/04, councils determined 64% of all planning applications1 within two months, a reduction compared with the previous year (67%). Councils overall have yet to meet the Executive’s target of determining 80% of all planning applications within two months. Clackmannanshire was the only council that met the Executive’s guideline for all applications.

Five councils, (Aberdeen City, Clackmannanshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire and West Lothian) determined, at least three in every four of all planning applications within two months. A further seven councils (Aberdeenshire, Dumfries & Galloway, East Ayrshire, City of Edinburgh, Glasgow City, Highland and Perth & Kinross) determined fewer than six in every ten applications within the required time.

Householder applications
Councils dealt with 80% of householder applications within two months, a reduction compared with the previous year (83%).

Five councils (Clackmannanshire, Falkirk, Inverclyde, Moray and West Lothian), one fewer than the previous year, met the National Planning Policy Guideline of determining 90% of householder applications within two months. East Ayrshire, City of Edinburgh, Glasgow City and Perth & Kinross dealt with fewer than 75% of applications within two months.

Non-householder applications
Councils dealt with 49% of non-householder applications within two months, a reduction compared with the previous year (53%).

The proportion of non-householder applications determined within two months varied amongst councils, from 39% in East Ayrshire and Glasgow City to 72% in Clackmannanshire. Thirteen councils, three more than the previous year, determined fewer than 50% of applications within the required time, while Clackmannanshire was the only council that dealt with at least two in every three applications within the required time.

1 Information provided by the Scottish Executive Planning Services Audit Unit indicates that in 2003/04 the proportion of listed building and conservation area determinations expressed as a proportion of all determinations (ie, in relation to non-householder as well as householder applications) ranged from 1% to 16%. City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Fife, Glasgow City, Scottish Borders, South Ayrshire and Stirling were 10% or more.

Indicator 5: Road network condition

The proportion of the road network that should be considered for maintenance treatment

The proportion of the road network that should be considered for maintenance treatment. This is defined as roads which are either in need of repair or require further investigation. 

The first Scottish Road Maintenance Condition Survey was carried out on a sample of roads in Scotland during 2003/04. The survey will be repeated annually. The survey uses a standard technique which measures rutting, surface texture, longitudinal profile (bumpiness) and cracking. Over time, the survey results will provide a complete picture of the condition of all Scotland’s roads. 

Three measures are used in the survey to classify roads:

• Green – roads considered to be in an acceptable condition.

• Amber – roads considered to require further investigation to establish if treatment is required.

• Red – roads considered to have deteriorated to a point at which repairs to prolong future life should be considered.

This indicator shows the condition of roads for the combined amber and red categories.

Points to bear in mind
Audit Scotland published Maintaining Scotland’s roads on behalf of the Accounts Commission in November 2004.

Information is collected by either machine-based or visual surveys. The surveys are carried out on a sample of each council’s road network. In 2003/04 the sample size at a few councils was less than intended because of survey equipment difficulties and bad weather. The figures produced are nevertheless believed to provide a representative picture of road conditions.

The condition of roads will be affected by:

• budgetary constraints

• traffic flow/usage

• weather patterns.

Commentary
Across Scotland, around 45% of the road network is either in need of repair or requiring further investigation. The proportion varied widely between councils, from 23% in West Lothian to 62% in the City of Edinburgh.

Eleven councils reported that 50% or more of their road network should be considered for treatment while a further seven councils (Aberdeenshire, Angus, Eilean Siar, Highland, Midlothian, Orkney Islands and West Lothian) reported that less than 40% of their road network should be considered for treatment.

Indicator 6:  Time taken to repair faulty street lights and faulty traffic lights

The percentage of repairs to street lights completed within seven days and the percentage of traffic light repairs completed within 48 hours.

This indicator covers a range of different problems including such things as lamp failure, control box failure, accident damage, vandalism, shade damage and supply failure. 

Points to bear in mind
The indicator captures the time taken for the full range of activity, from notification of the fault to the completion of the repair. The actual repair work is often carried out by a contractor, and in such cases it is, in part, the contractor’s performance which is, being measured. However, it is the council’s responsibility to ensure that the contractor’s performance is satisfactory.

The target times for repairing faulty street lights and traffic lights were established in discussion with the Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland.

Commentary
Street lights
Across Scotland, councils carried out slightly over 283,000 street light repairs, an increase of over 14,000 (5%) compared with the previous year. The number of repairs has risen significantly. Since 1997/98 when this indicator was first reported, street light repairs have increased by over 50%. Councils are also carrying out more repairs within the target time of seven days. In 2003/04 councils carried out 94% of repairs within seven days, compared with 91% in the previous year.

The proportion of repairs carried out within seven days varied among councils from 63% in Shetland Islands to 100% in South Lanarkshire. In 2003/04, South Lanarkshire reported a 40% increase (to 25,000) in the number of repairs carried out compared with the previous year, but still completed all repairs within the seven day target time.

Twenty-six councils reported that nine in every ten repairs were undertaken within target time – five more councils than the previous year. Six councils (Angus, Dumfries & Galloway, City of Edinburgh, North Ayrshire, Scottish Borders and Shetland Islands) reported less than 90% of repairs carried out within seven days.

Traffic lights
Across Scotland, councils carried out almost 20,000 repairs to traffic lights, a reduction of 2,307 (12%) compared with the previous year.

Across Scotland, 93% of repairs were carried out within the target of 48 hours, which continues the year-on-year improvement over the past six years. The proportion of repairs carried out within the target time varied from none in Shetland Islands to 100% in Argyll & Bute, Dundee City, Moray and Scottish Borders. 

Twenty councils carried out at least nine in every ten repairs within 48 hours, two more than the previous year. Three councils (East Dunbartonshire 70%, Fife 68%, and Inverclyde 76%) carried out fewer than eight in ten repairs within target time.

Indicator 7:  Noise complaints

The number and proportion of noise complaints settled within 
14 days of receipt

This indicator shows the number of complaints about noise where, following initial investigation, it is confirmed that a problem exists and action requires to be taken. It also shows the proportion of these complaints where a response was provided to the complainer within 14 days in order to explain the nature of any action taken, and conclusions reached.

The target time for noise complaints was established following consultation with the appropriate professional bodies.

Points to bear in mind
Factors that may influence this indicator include:

• the level of the service the council provides (eg, 24 hours a day for seven days a week, office hours for only five days a week)

• the volume and complexity of complaints received.

Complaints that the council passes on to other agencies such as the police are not recorded.

This is the first year we have reported this information.

Commentary
In 2003/04 Scottish councils received slightly over 10,300 noise complaints. They dealt with 2,300 at first point of contact to the satisfaction of the complainer, and 8,000 required further investigation. The number ranged from eight in the Shetland Islands to 1,582 in the City of Edinburgh.
 
Across Scotland there were 16 complaints per 10,000 population requiring further investigation. This ranged widely from less than two complaints per 10,000 population in Moray to 35 in the City of Edinburgh.

Most complaints requiring further investigation were in urban areas. Seven councils (Aberdeen City, Dundee City, City of Edinburgh, Falkirk, Glasgow City, Renfrewshire and South Ayrshire) reported 20 complaints or more per 10,000 population.

Rural councils reported the lowest number of complaints per 10,000 population. Argyll & Bute, Eilean Siar, Moray, Scottish Borders and Shetland Islands reported fewer than five complaints per 10,000 population.

Overall, 65% of complaints were settled within 14 days. The percentage settled within 14 days varied widely from 13% in Scottish Borders to 99% in Aberdeenshire. Seven councils (Aberdeenshire, City of Edinburgh, Eilean Siar, Midlothian, Moray, Renfrewshire and West Lothian) completed at least eight in every ten complaints within the target time. Four councils (Clackmannanshire, North Lanarkshire, Perth & Kinross and Scottish Borders) completed fewer than three in ten complaints within the target time.

Contacts

If you have any specific queries about the performance information, you may wish to contact your council. A contact person for each council is given below. If you have general queries about this pamphlet, please contact Jim Lakie, e-mail jlakie@audit-scotland.gov.uk or Alec Taylor, e-mail ataylor@audit-scotland.gov.uk at Audit Scotland, T. 0131 477 1234. 

Aberdeen City, Beth Smith, Strategic Support Officer, Aberdeen City Council, Office of Chief Executive, Town House, Broad Street, Aberdeen AB10 1FY, 
T. 01224 523418, email bsmith@aberdeencity.gov.uk

Aberdeenshire, David Hughes, Chief Internal Auditor, Aberdeenshire Council, Woodhill House, Westburn Road, Aberdeen AB16 5GB, 
T. 01224 664184, email david.hughes@aberdeenshire.gov.uk 

Angus, David Richards, Performance Co-ordinator, Angus Council, Chief Executive’s Department, The Cross, Forfar DD8 1BX, T. 01307 473788, email richardsd@angus.gov.uk 

Argyll & Bute, David Clements, Performance Manager, Chief Executive’s Unit, Argyll & Bute Council, Kilmory, Lochgilphead, Argyll, PA31 8RT, 
T. 01546 604205, email david.clements@argyll-bute.gov.uk 

Clackmannanshire, Alexa Brown, Information Officer, Performance and Strategy, Clackmannanshire Council, Greenfield, Alloa FK10 2AD, 
T. 01259 452105, email abrown@clacks.gov.uk 

Dumfries & Galloway, Charlie Proctor, Consultant, Policy and Performance Unit, Corporate Services, Dumfries & Galloway Council, Council Offices, English Street, Dumfries DG1 2DD,
T. 01387 260098, email charliep@dumgal.gov.uk 

Dundee City, Rod McKay, Principal Accountant, Finance Department, Dundee City Council, Tayside House, Floor 4, 28 Crichton Street, Dundee DD1 3RF, 
T. 01382 433522, email rod.mckay@dundeecity.gov.uk
 
City of Edinburgh, Barry Leathem, Trainee Consultant, Performance & Development Unit, City of Edinburgh Council, Department of Corporate Services, 12 St Giles Street, Edinburgh EH1 1PT,
T. 0131 469 3858, email barry.leathem@edinburgh.gov.uk

East Ayrshire, Carol Foote, Principal Officer, Corporate Development, East Ayrshire Council, Chief Executive’s Department, London Road, Kilmarnock KA3 7BU, 
T. 01563 576159, email carol.foote@east-ayrshire.gov.uk 

East Dunbartonshire, Tom Duncan, Acting Manager Policy and Public Affairs, East Dunbartonshire Council, Tom Johnston House, Civic Way, Kirkintilloch, Glasgow G66 4TJ, 
T. 0141 578 8000, email tom.duncan@eastdunbarton.gov.uk 

East Lothian, Adam Stewart, Policy Officer, Chief Executive’s Department, East Lothian Council, John Muir House, Haddington, East Lothian EH41 3HA, 
T. 01620 827884, email astewart@eastlothian.gov.uk

East Renfrewshire, Tracy Butler, Corporate Policy Assistant, Chief Executive’s Department, East Renfrewshire Council, Council Headquarters, Eastwood Park, Rouken Glen Road, Giffnock, East Renfrewshire G46 6UG, 
T. 0141 577 3167, email tracy.butler@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk

Eilean Siar (Western Isles), Andrew Mackenzie, Head of Strategy (Internal), Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Council Offices, Sandwick Road, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis HS1 2BW, 
T. 01851 709201, email amackenzie@cne-siar.gov.uk

Falkirk, Barbara Knowles, Policy and Research Officer, Corporate and Commercial Services, 
Falkirk Council, Municipal Buildings, Falkirk FK1 5RS, 
T. 01324 506016, email barbara.knowles@falkirk.gov.uk 

Fife, Saul Hain, Policy Officer (Planning & Review), Policy & Organisational Development, 
Fife Council, Fife House, North Street, Glenrothes, Fife KY7 5LT, 
T. 01592 413986, email saul.hain@fife.gov.uk

Glasgow City, Tracey Cunningham, Senior Policy Development Officer, Corporate Policy, 
Chief Executive’s Office, Glasgow City Council, City Chambers, George Square, Glasgow G2 1DU, 
T. 0141 2873625, email tracey.cunningham@ced.glasgow.gov.uk

Highland, Ruth Grant, Performance Analyst, Highland Council, Council Offices, Glenurquhart Road, 
Inverness IV3 5NX, 
T. 01463 702416, email ruth.grant@highland.gov.uk 
 
Inverclyde, Brian Purdie, Head of Customer Services, Inverclyde Council, Chief Executive’s Office, 
Municipal Buildings, Greenock PA15 1LY, 
T. 01475 712748, email brian.purdie@inverclyde.gov.uk 

Midlothian, Michael Callaghan, Executive Services, Corporate Policy, Midlothian Council, Midlothian House, Buccleuch Street, Dalkeith EH22 1LY,
T. 0131 271 3444, email michael.callaghan@midlothian.gov.uk
    
Moray, Sandi Pick, Research and Information Officer, Corporate Services, Chief Executive’s Office, 
The Moray Council, Council Office, High Street, Elgin IV30 1BX,
T. 01343 563040, email sandra.pick@moray.gov.uk
 
North Ayrshire, Jim Montgomery, Principal Performance Review Officer, North Ayrshire Council, Chief Executive’s Office, Cunninghame House, Irvine KA12 8EE,
T. 01294 324125, email jmontgomery@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
 
North Lanarkshire, Graham A Reid, Information & Research Manager, North Lanarkshire Council, Chief Executive’s Office, Civic Centre, Motherwell ML1 1TW, 
T. 01698 302266, email reidga@northlan.gov.uk

Orkney Islands, Jim Love, Performance Review Officer, Orkney Islands Council, Council Offices, School Place, Kirkwall, Orkney KW15 1NY, 
T. 01856 888761, email jim.love@orkney.gov.uk

Perth & Kinross, Michelle Cochlan, Strategic Planning Officer, Performance Planning & Management, Perth & Kinross Council, 
2 High Street, Perth PH1 5PH, 
T. 01738 475071, email mcochlan@pkc.gov.uk

Renfrewshire, Oliver Reid, Principal, Corporate Policy, Renfrewshire Council, Council Headquarters, North Building, Cotton Street, Paisley PA1 1WB,
T. 0141 840 3298, email oliver.reid@renfrewshire.gov.uk

Scottish Borders, Brian Emmerson, Team Leader – Better Government & Democracy, Scottish Borders Council, Council Headquarters, Chief Executive’s Department, Newtown St Boswells, Melrose TD6 0SA,
T. 01835 824000 ext.5301, email bemmerson@scotborders.gov.uk

Shetland Islands, Anna Henry, Policy and Development Assistant, Chief Executive’s Office, 
Shetland Islands Council, Town Hall, Lerwick, Shetland ZEI 0HB,
T. 01595 744510, email anna.henry@sic.shetland.gov.uk

South Ayrshire, Sheila Adams, Auditor, South Ayrshire Council, Town Buildings, 5-9 High Street, Ayr KA7 1LY, 
T. 01292 617 669, email Sheila.adams@south-ayrshire.gov.uk

South Lanarkshire, Lynne Marshall, Research Supervisor, Finance Services, South Lanarkshire Council, 
4th Floor, Council Offices, Almada Street, Hamilton ML3 0AB,
T. 01698 455244, email lynne.marshall@southlanarkshire.gov.uk 

or Angela Watson, Research Assistant, Financial Performance, South Lanarkshire Council, 4th Floor, Council Offices, Almada Street, Hamilton ML3 0AB,
T. 01698 455309, email angela.watson@southlanarkshire.go.uk

Stirling, Lesley J Graham, Corporate Performance Officer, Stirling Council, Corporate Services, Quality, Performance and Research Team, Viewforth, Stirling FK8 2ET, 
T. 01786 442982, email grahaml@stirling.gov.uk

West Dunbartonshire, May Simpson, Policy Assistant, West Dunbartonshire Council, Chief Executive’s Policy Unit, Council Offices, Garshake Road, Dumbarton G82 3PU, 
T. 01389 737242, email may.simpson@west-dunbarton.gov.uk

West Lothian, Jim McIvor, Best Value Manager, West Lothian Council, West Lothian House, Almondvale Boulevard, Livingston, West Lothian EH54 6QG, 
T. 01506 777122, email jim.mcivor@westlothian.gov.uk 

Audit Scotland
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0131 477 4567

www.audit-scotland.gov.uk

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