Welsh Conservatives have welcomed the announcement of plans by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles to improve town hall transparency.
Commenting on the announcement, which calls on Councils in England publish details of all spending over £500 in full and online as part of wider action to bring about a revolution in town hall openness and accountability, Leader of the Opposition Nick Bourne AM said:
“I warmly welcome the Secretary of State’s announcement as it allows local people to more closely scrutinise politicians and public bodies.
“We have already heard the Prime Minister’s plans to make more government data accessible to the public, this announcement further demonstrates that the Government is truly committed to improving transparency and openness across the board.
“I would encourage Councils in Wales to adopt a similar process.”
Shadow Local Government Minister Darren Millar AM added:
“This is an excellent move which will put transparency at the heart of council operations and spending.
“Armchair auditors across England will now have the chance to help cut waste across the public sector – the sooner these plans are implemented in Wales, the better.
“I urge the First Minister and Assembly Government to introduce similar measures to ensure that people in Wales are able to hold local politicians and public bodies to account over the way they spend tax payers’ money.”
