In the past five years Scottish councils have done much to improve their game, and the results are starting to show.
Audit findings published by the Accounts Commission on best value for all 32 councils in Scotland, has, for the first time given the public has an overall picture of how well their councils are performing.
It also held public hearings into two councils who were not performing adequately.
The Commission says the audits have helped councils change and improve how they are led and managed.
A report published today Making an impact: an overview of the audits of Best Value and Community Planning 2004-09, looks at progress since 2004, when this new type of audit was introduced to assess how well councils meet their best value duties to deliver improving
services to local people.
John Baillie, chair of the Accounts Commission, said: "Over the past five years we have seen many important changes. Councils have responded well to their best value duties and, while there is still a long way to go, they have made improvements to try to ensure they are better placed to deliver good quality services to local people.
"The public now have an overall picture of council performance, including insight into activity that used to be largely free of detailed scrutiny.
"The audits have also helped hold councils to account. There were public hearings at two councils where there was significant public interest and concern about performance."
As a result, said Baillie, councils have taken a much closer look at their performance and the audits have highlighted important issues such as the need for improved performance management and public reporting and better challenge and scrutiny.
The audits also identify common characteristics of better performing councils, such as effective leadership by councillors and senior managers.
Caroline Gardner, controller of Audit Scotland, said: "We welcome the progress made so far. There is now a much clearer understanding of important issues and how to drive improvement. But, as most councils realise, they still have much to do to ensure they are operating as effectively and efficiently as possible."
