01 August 2003
The auditor general for Wales has demanded that the Welsh Assembly introduce more 'robust' procedures to ensure its audit recommendations are implemented on time, it emerged this week.
In a general report covering all the National Audit Office Wales' work, Sir John Bourn pointed out that there were recommendations from 2000/01 that had yet to be introduced. In fact, one 'Assembly sponsored public body' had ignored its advice on improving its 'fundamental control weakness' for the fourth year in succession.
'I look to the permanent secretary to ensure that robust procedures are put in place to address all National Audit Office for Wales recommendations in full,' the auditor general said. The NAOW warned that it would review the Assembly's progress next year.
The report also revealed that the NAOW had audited 32 Welsh accounts in 2001/02 and qualified two – the National Council for Education and Training in Wales and the Welsh NHS.
PFaug2003
