INSPECTORS have found that education standards are failing to make the grade in Dumfries and Galloway.
External auditors from Audit Scotland have been assessing the running of the council, looking closely at finances and the performance of various departments.
The local authority watchdog’s annual report for 2023/24 was tabled at the council’s audit, risk and scrutiny committee last week.
In a section titled, ‘Use of resources to improve outcomes’ it was shown that the council was on track to achieve many of its performance targets.
However, inspectors highlighted that education – quality and curriculum – was struggling.
Twenty-six performance indicators are on track, however, 22 targets were not being met – and 15 of those were considered “outwith acceptable limits”.
Abbey Councillor Davie Stitt said: “With education quality and curriculum, I find it quite hard to take that 15 targets haven’t been met within acceptable limits. This is much on par with the previous year.
“Do you think there will be any improvement shown in the next year? Because 15 out of that total is absolutely shocking.”
Annandale North Councillor Stephen Thompson, chair of the committee, said: “It is concerning when you look at some of the figures, but I think the general message seemed to be that there were improvements – even though it’s not reached the targets we’ve set.”
Fiona Mitchell-Knight, who led the assessment on behalf of Audit Scotland, stated that these figures now give councillors a clear picture of exactly how each department is performing and how to hold council officers accountable and make improvements.
She said: “The important thing is that you now have the information to be able to challenge and scrutinise, and ask those questions of officers yourselves.”
