Eleanor Burnham, Assembly Member for North Wales has welcomed the commitment of the Social Justice Minister, Carl Sargeant, to undertake a programme of detailed and urgent inspections of Wales’ Communities First partnerships.
The investigation has come about as a result of an investigation of the Plas Madoc Communities First partnership in Wrexham which highlighted “serious and widespread weaknesses in financial control and governance” according to the Minister’s statement.
Commenting, Eleanor, Welsh Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Communities, said, “Projects like Communities First must be accountable to the taxpayer if they are to maintain their independence.
“Communities First is meant to be a grassroots scheme that allows individuals and groups to participate in and add value to their communities. It is very disappointing to find that people who depend on Communities First can be let down so badly.
“The Assembly Government’s Internal Audit Service worked jointly with the Wales Audit Office on the Plas Madoc partnership difficulties and the Minister must now make sure that all of Wales’ 157 Communities First schemes deliver support and services in an appropriate manner.
