http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: “Auditors slap health warning on Scottish quango over £51m accounting 'flaw' “ en Sat, 01 Aug 2026 10:31:27 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20844#post-358423 Thu, 10 Feb 2022 18:43:28 +0000 crowriver 358423@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The Scottish Canals Corporate Plan 2020-23 makes for a riveting read. (Not really).</p> <p>I'm not entirely convinced that all the worthy goals of this body are SMART. No wonder the auditors are in a tizz. However, TBH I'm deeply unconcerned. Mustn't be much going on in the world for the Glasgow Herald to make "news" out of this storm in a teacup. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20844#post-358422 Thu, 10 Feb 2022 17:43:28 +0000 Morningsider 358422@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>By a weird quirk of legislation, Scottish Canals' proper title is the British Waterways Board. Despite the name, the Board only operates in Scotland. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20844#post-358421 Thu, 10 Feb 2022 17:27:41 +0000 Arellcat 358421@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"quango"</p> <p>There are nine different types of public body beyond the Scottish Government itself, and The Herald wheels out that weary 1980s term that bristles in the public consciousness, parodied in the leatherbound, wood panelled, port-and-lead-crystal days of Yes, Minister; a time of aloofness by executive decree, operational superiority, unchallengable spending habits and convenient immunity from Government control.</p> <p>Of course, anyone who understands the legal aspects to what makes one public body an executive non-departmental public body and another an advisory NDPB, or a non-Ministerial office, or an executive agency, is either a lawyer or another lawyer whose reading of the constitution is different from the first. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20844#post-358417 Thu, 10 Feb 2022 14:37:13 +0000 chdot 358417@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Which may or may not affect future maintenance or improvements. </p> <p>“</p> <p>Although it conducted the required valuations for investment properties, land and buildings, it failed to get valuations for around £51 million of specialist assets including the Helix park and landscape at the Kelpies, dredging equipment, lock gates and canal basin widening works.</p> <p>These assets had not been valued before. </p> <p>A subsequent valuation, aimed at estimating the cost of replacing these assets in their current condition and existing use, then raised further concerns about the accuracy of Scottish Canal's fixed asset register.</p> <p>Concerns were raised about the qualification of the valuer chosen by Scottish Canals, items being recorded as assets which were not assets, and assets being recorded without proof of ownership.</p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/19907454.auditors-slap-health-warning-scottish-quango-51m-accounting-flaw/" rel="nofollow">https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/19907454.auditors-slap-health-warning-scottish-quango-51m-accounting-flaw/</a> </p>