podcast transcript  for Argyll and Bute BV 102 report  
We’re here to talk about the Account’s Commission’s findings on a report from the Controller of Audit which looked into the culture and leadership of Argyll and Bute Council. 
With me is John Baillie, chair of the Accounts Commission. John, can you tell me what you found?
Well, we are seriously concerned at the effect of unstable political leadership at the council since last year’s elections. 
We found that the quality of leadership had been inadequate. There have been changes in political groupings, shiftings of allegiances, tensions between councillors, and a basic lack of working together collectively which is essential for a council to be effective.
We found that the current political management arrangements were simply not fit for purpose. Progress in securing effective scrutiny has also been inadequate.
In a nutshell …... there are serious problems at the council which need to be addressed urgently. 
But how is this affecting the public? 
Well, obviously folk are aware of what’s going on because it has been widely reported and this is having a negative affect on the council’s reputation.
As yet, we haven’t seen direct damage to frontline services for the community. But there is a risk that services will start to suffer …..and nobody wants that.
What do you want to see happen next?
Well the council has recognised the seriousness of current circumstances and that is encouraging. It is developing new arrangements for political management and new training and development programmes to support councillors. It has also brought in external support and that’s good.
So we welcome these developments.  And at this stage I would describe them as positive steps in the right direction but clearly, there is a lot more to do to restore trust in the council and its capacity to do its work effectively.
So we will now monitor progress and how much can be made over the next six months at which point we have asked for a further report to be made to us.   
John, thank you very much.