Finance Secretary John Swinney today expressed his concern at the findings of the Accounts Commission's public hearing into Aberdeen City Council's Audit of Best Value and Community Planning.

In a letter to Council Leader Kate Dean, Mr Swinney asks the Council to accept the Accounts Commission's findings and put in place an improvement plan as a matter of urgency.

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Mr Swinney has requested a meeting with senior Council representatives to discuss how they intend to respond to the Accounts Commission and expects to receive regular reports from the Council on its progress.

Mr Swinney's letter said: "The people of Aberdeen have a right to expect that their Council can meet its Best Value obligations and so be in a position to secure the best possible outcomes for them.

"The Accounts Commission's findings set out a number of serious challenges concerning corporate governance and management arrangements at Aberdeen City Council, which echo and expand on conclusions set out in the Controller of Audit's original Best Value audit report. I am concerned by these findings."

(GK/JM)