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Audit Committee

Audit Committee visits Kilmarnock as part of community planning review

CAU007/2006 | 19 October 2006

The Scottish Parliament's Audit Committee will travel to Kilmarnock on Monday (23 October) to see how community planning partnerships work in practice.

Four committee members will visit East Ayrshire Council Headquarters to witness how organisations such as local authorities, the NHS and emergency services work together to ensure adequate and equal provision of community services. This fact finding visit will help inform the committee's inquiry which will examine areas such as:

•  difficulties caused by different geographical boundaries, accountabilities and financial regulations;

•  lack of integration and prioritisation of national policy initiatives, and

•  fragmented funding streams.

The programme for the visit is as follows:

10:30 Arrive at East Ayrshire Council Headquarters, London Road, Kilmarnock - informal opportunity for local media to speak with MSPs on arrival or take photographs

11:00 Visit to New North West Kilmarnock Area Centre

13:00 Meetings in Glencairn Room, Dower House, Kilmarnock.

14:30 Depart.

Background notes:

Members of the Audit Committee taking part in the visit will be: Brian Monteith MSP (Convener), Robin Harper MSP, Margaret Jamieson MSP and Mrs Mary Mulligan MSP.

The Committee agreed to undertake this inquiry following the publication in June of the joint report by the Auditor General for Scotland and the Accounts Commission entitled "Community Planning: an initial review".

This inquiry will include a round table evidence session on 7 November inviting those with experience in community planning issues to discuss with the Committee their views on how this works in practice and the difficulties they face. The Committee will also have a formal evidence session with Accountable Officers from the Scottish Executive at a future meeting.

The Audit Committee is unique amongst the Scottish Parliament's committees in that its remit is based on reports laid before or made to the Parliament.

The committee's primary function might be described as holding to account those who spend public funds to ensure that this is done efficiently and effectively.

The contact for members of the media is:

Eric MacLeod: 0131 348 5389
RNID TypeTalk calls welcome
E-mail: eric.macleod@scottish.parliament.uk

Audit Committee contact information

For public information enquiries, contact: 0131 348 5000 or 0845 278 1999 (local call rate)
Text phone: 0845 270 0152 RNID Typetalk calls welcome
email: sp.info@scottish.parliament.uk

Visit our website at: www.scottish.parliament.uk