The man tasked with raising standards at the Isle of Anglesey County Council says he’s seeing “significant progress”.
Appointed by the Welsh Assembly Government, Interim Managing Director David Bowles believes that the early signs of corporate recovery are clearly visible.
Mr Bowles, who was brought in to the run the Authority following a highly critical Corporate Governance Inspection, spoke out after Anglesey today received its annual audit letter for 2008/09.
The letter stresses that the next twelve months are critical if the Council is to improve arrangements to secure economy, efficiency and effectiveness in its use of resources.
Interim Managing Director, David Bowles, responded, “Whilst we fully accept that, as an Authority, we still have much to do, both members and officers deserve a huge deal of credit for the changes that have already taken place.”
“The report is obviously a snapshot in time and does not reflect the progress that has been made since the end of March. Significant progress has already been made in a number of areas which will help move the Authority forward, improve relationships, self regulation and reputation.”
Key areas include:
- the resolution of issues which had previously led to difficulties in working relationships between Members and Officers
- a commitment to greater public engagement from Members to help enhance the Council’s reputation and its community leadership role
- agreeing new Corporate objectives which will form the basis of a medium term plan for the Authority and allocating substantial funds to aid the recovery
- a real commitment from Members to self regulation
- substantial progress in Schools’ rationalisation process
Council Leader Councillor Clive McGregor added, “Whilst I do not dispute the annual audit letter’s key messages and its context following the Corporate Governance Inspection, I feel it is now important that we acknowledge that significant steps have been made to move the Authority forward and improve reputation.”
He added, “Our latest Recovery Board report also highlighted a number of positives we can take forward – in particular praise of the Executive’s open approach to schools’ rationalisation and the recognition of the commitment shown by members towards sustainable change within the Authority.
“There are, of course, as the annual audit letter shows, areas which need a great deal more work. We will continue to strive for improvement across all services, working with the Recovery Board and the Assembly’s new Minister for Social Justice and Local Government, Carl Sargeant AM.”
The full Annual Letter can be found at www.anglesey.gov.uk/annualletter
