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Council 'needs major assistance' Council 'needs major assistance'
(10 minutes later)
Aberdeen City Council "lacks a full appreciation of the seriousness of its current circumstances", according to the Accounts Commission for Scotland.Aberdeen City Council "lacks a full appreciation of the seriousness of its current circumstances", according to the Accounts Commission for Scotland.
The commission said the council was facing extremely serious challenges and needed support to help make changes.The commission said the council was facing extremely serious challenges and needed support to help make changes.
It is also recommending the appointment of an independent financial expert to oversee savings.It is also recommending the appointment of an independent financial expert to oversee savings.
The findings are part of the council's Best Value audit, which was compiled following a public hearing. The Accounts Commission public hearing which led to the findings followed concerns about best value and planning.
It is time to put aside petty party political differences and work together for the good of the people Brian AdamAberdeen North SNP MSPIt is time to put aside petty party political differences and work together for the good of the people Brian AdamAberdeen North SNP MSP
The Accounts Commission hearing followed the Controller of Audit's report, which highlighted concerns about best value and community planning.
John Baillie, commission chairman, said: "Aberdeen City Council has extremely serious problems with its management, governance and finances as well as the effective delivery of major services such as social work.John Baillie, commission chairman, said: "Aberdeen City Council has extremely serious problems with its management, governance and finances as well as the effective delivery of major services such as social work.
"It is essential that the council accepts the seriousness of its circumstances, pulls together and acts quickly and decisively to implement our recommendations.""It is essential that the council accepts the seriousness of its circumstances, pulls together and acts quickly and decisively to implement our recommendations."
Public protestsPublic protests
Aberdeen North SNP MSP Brian Adam said: "I welcome the fact that we are at the end of the investigation stage of this process and that there are quite clear actions laid out to remedy historical mistakes which led to the council's current financial predicament.Aberdeen North SNP MSP Brian Adam said: "I welcome the fact that we are at the end of the investigation stage of this process and that there are quite clear actions laid out to remedy historical mistakes which led to the council's current financial predicament.
"It is quite clear that all of the elected members and the staff of Aberdeen City Council need to work together to bring forward an implementation plan to bring the council back from its precarious financial situation."It is quite clear that all of the elected members and the staff of Aberdeen City Council need to work together to bring forward an implementation plan to bring the council back from its precarious financial situation.
"It is time to put aside petty party political differences and work together for the good of the people of the City of Aberdeen.""It is time to put aside petty party political differences and work together for the good of the people of the City of Aberdeen."
The council is currently pursuing a programme of cutbacks, which has led to weeks of public protests.The council is currently pursuing a programme of cutbacks, which has led to weeks of public protests.