Following a Welsh Assembly Government review into the St Cadoc’s and Penygarn Communities First Partnership, Torfaen council has been asked to draw up new plans for the future operations in the area.
The review followed substantial concerns from various sources including the Wales Audit Office, over the efficiency of the partnership and whether it was achieving the policy aims of the Community First programme.
The review concluded that external intervention was required to resolve problems arising from the structure of the board which left unchecked could have led to the withdrawal of funding and the closure of the Communities’ First programme in the area.
The report says that the Partnership Board has not performed to acceptable levels on a number of fronts. To maximise community benefit and so the programme moves forward positively, the report makes a number of recommendations that aim to reverse the trends of internal and external conflict, an unhealthy board structure and an inability to make meaningful progress with key partners.
A council spokesperson said: “Based on the successful outcomes in our three other Communities First areas, the Welsh Assembly Government have given the council a positive opportunity to breathe new life into the community partnership through a recovery plan. The plan will set out recommendations for an independent chair to drive the new partnership board, future management arrangements and revised area outcomes. The council will consult with key stakeholders on the plan and submit this to the Assembly Government as soon as possible.”
