What discussions has the Minister had with the Wales Audit Office to ensure that Town and Community Councils are able to fulfil their existing statutory obligations?
I share the Auditor General’s concerns about the continuing high number of community councils that have received qualified audit opinions and the lack of robust internal audit arrangements in many councils. Community councils are responsible for public money and I would expect all councils to have robust financial management and internal control arrangements in place.
My officials wrote to the Auditor General following the publication of his recent reports. The Auditor General confirmed his intention to review the audit regime for town and community council this summer and that the Welsh Government would be consulted as part of that work.
I am very clear that sound governance and effective management of public money is a prerequisite for an expanded role for town and community councils