Our work programme for 2010/11

Due for release: 30 September 2010 for the Auditor General

Summary: Scottish public bodies and colleges provide important public
services. The boards of these organisations oversee their operations
and are central to ensuring the delivery of thesepublic services. It is
vital they operate effectively. We aim to assess the role and effectiveness
of boards in the different types of public bodies across the health and
central government sectors, and in colleges. We will clarify these boards'
roles and responsibilities and assess whether boards have the skills and
experience they need to function effectively. We will also assess whether
boards operate with openness and integrity, and how effectively they
provide leadership, accountability and decision-making.

Due for release: 7 October 2010 for the Auditor General

Summary: In this study we will evaluate the development, introduction
and management of the National Concessionary Travel scheme for
older and disabled people. We will consider the reasons for introducing
the scheme, the effectiveness of the performance management
arrangements and the strength of financial planning and management
arrangements. We will review the governance and accountability
arrangements of the agencies involved and evaluate the Scottish
Government’s and Transport Scotland’s role in managing the scheme.
The study will also assess the costs, benefits and future risks for the
scheme.

Due for release: 21 October 2010 for the Accounts Commission

Summary: The study aims to address how well councils perform in
delivering physical recreation services for the general public.
It will examine how well councils strategically plan and deliver
physical recreation services; what services cost and how they
perform; how responsive services are to customers’ needs; and
the impact of pricing on service delivery and participation by
the public. The study will also examine wider issues such as the
link between increased levels of participation in physical activity
and improved health.

Due for release: 28 October 2010 for the Auditor General

Summary: The study will examine the extent to which the Scottish Police
Service Authority (SPSA) is addressing its objectives in connection
with promoting efficiency and effectiveness by providing expert
policing and support services; establishing and maintaining the
Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency; and providing services
to Scotland’s eight police forces and to the wider criminal justice
community.

Due for release: 9 December 2010 for the Auditor General / Accounts Commission

Summary: This study will re-evaluate the performance of the public sector in improving its energy efficiency. It will assess progress made against the recommendations in the 2008 Improving energy efficiency report, and look at changes in public bodies’ energy consumption and spending on energy since 2004/05. It will also look at how prepared participating public bodies are for the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme.

Due for release: 16 December 2010 for the Auditor General

Summary: Our annual National Health Service (NHS) overview report comments on the finance and performance of the NHS in Scotland. It covers the main issues arising from the year’s NHS audit work.

Due for release: January/February 2011 for the Accounts Commission

Summary: This study is the second in a series of best value and resource management studies, which are designed to concentrate on a number of recurring themes identified in our best value audits, local audit work and national reports.

Due for release: 20 January 2011 for the Accounts Commission

Summary: An overview of local government in Scotland 2010.

Due for release: 27 January 2011 for the Auditor General

Summary:

In 2010/11, public bodies in Scotland plan to spend around £3.2 billion
on capital projects, around 10 per cent of the total Scottish budget. Beyond
2010/11, the amount of funding available to spend on capital projects is
uncertain but likely to decrease. Good management of the investment
programme is particularly important given the anticipated period of
austerity.
This audit aims to provide independent assurance about how well the
Scottish Government is managing its capital investment programme and
associated risks. It will also assess and report on the outlook for
investment spending and what improvements have been made in major
project management since our previous report, Review of major capital
projects in Scotland (June 2008).

Due for release: February 2011 for the Auditor General / Accounts Commission

Summary: We will evaluate the extent to which the recommendations in
our 2004 Maintaining Scotland's roads report have been
implemented and what has changed as a result.

The key objectives are to assess:

• the extent to which road condition and the size of the maintenance
  backlog have changed, and the reasons given (including the impact of the
  severe winter weather during 2009/10)


• the extent to which recommendations aimed at improving value for
  money have been implemented


• the extent to which recommendations aimed at improving the reporting
  of road condition and maintenance backlog information have been
  implemented.

Due for release: February 2011 for the Auditor General / Accounts Commission

Summary: This report will be a follow up on the 2006 report, Public sector pension schemes in Scotland. It will provide an update position on the six main public sector pension schemes and the implications for the Scottish Government spending going forward.

Due for release: March 2011 for the Accounts Commission

Summary: This study is the third in a series of best value and resource management studies, which are designed to concentrate on a number of recurring themes identified in our best value audits, local audit work and national reports.