Members of the Council’s Governance, Risk and Best Value Committee (GRBV) have reaffirmed their commitment to subjecting the former Statutory Repairs Service to full and proper scrutiny.
The service was suspended and subsequently replaced in April 2013 but there remain a number of issues relating to outstanding works and billing that the council is bringing to a close.
In parallel with this, and the development of the new Shared Repairs service, regular reports are being brought to the GRBV committee for detailed consideration. A specific report on ‘minimising future risks’ was heard in private on 10 October.
The committee was established in November 2012 and given a strengthened and wider remit in relation to both financial and operational scrutiny than its predecessor, the Audit Committee.
In line with Audit Scotland guidance, it is chaired by a member of the opposition, Councillor Jeremy Balfour.
He said: “The role of the GRBV committee is crucial, particularly now as the council seeks to develop its new repairs service.
“I will be ensuring that the services – both past and present – continue to be the subject of clear and robust scrutiny by this committee and, further, to the right level of independent oversight and audit.
“We owe it to the people of Edinburgh, and in particular to those let down so badly by the previous service, to ensure that lessons are learned and acted upon. Only then can we begin to regain their trust.”
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