Positive note to end year on...

The final Council meeting of 2012 received a very positive report from the Council's external auditors Grant Thornton on their annual audit for financial year 2011/12.

The auditors have reported that "Overall, the Council is in good financial health" and they have recognised that good progress has been made to deliver savings through the Council's programme of efficiency workstreams.  Like the Council itself, however, Grant Thornton acknowledge the significant challenges and difficult decisions ahead due to the pressures on public finances. They are satisfied that "the Council is taking appropriate action to manage its financial position in the medium term".

The auditors' report also concludes that "Overall, the Council performs well in delivering services" and that "The Council has well-developed arrangements to monitor and report on performance". The Council's governance arrangements are considered to be generally operating well and internal controls operating effectively, with the Internal Audit section performing well.

The Council is praised for the way it has worked well with its partners through the Inverclyde Alliance to agree a shared vision for the area.

Grant Thornton confirm in their report that "there are no significant concerns relating to Inverclyde Council" and that "the Council has the capacity to achieve further service improvements".

This is very positive note to end the year on and is recognition of the excellent work going on across the Council and the professional leadership of our Chief Executive John Mundell and his management team.