17 January 2003
The National Audit Office Wales criticised the body, which promotes further education in the principality, for failing to get permission from the Welsh Assembly for 21 contracts it signed during 2001/02.
NAO auditors said the body had 'exceeded its delegated authority' in doing so: when it sought permission from the Assembly retrospectively it was refused in 14 cases.
They also criticised the NCETW, which was formed in April 2001 from the Welsh training and enterprise councils, for failing to put in place adequate financial management and procurement systems.
Sir John Bourn, the auditor general for Wales, said: 'Robust procurement procedures are basic to the proper conduct of public business and I consider that these weaknesses were matters which management should have addressed from the outset.'
A spokeswoman for NCETW said: 'We have received guidance from the Assembly that we are not able to comment on the report because of an audit committee hearing this month.'
PFjan2003
