30 April 2004
Lack of leadership and a shortage of staff and expertise are holding back Welsh councils from building on the improvements they have made in the past year, according to the Audit Commission in Wales.
Its report on the first year of its Wales Programme for Improvement, published this week, says that there are signs of progress. But it identifies two overriding issues that must be tackled.
'In many councils there is a need for good leadership, at political, corporate and community levels,' the report says. Good leadership with a 'will do, can do' attitude is fundamental to success, it adds.
The report highlights that a shortage of some types of staff and expertise within local government has meant that some council services are under-performing.
'Local authorities also need to work in partnership to provide services on a more cost-effective and efficient basis,' it adds.
Among the concerns raised are a backlog in housing maintenance, a shortage of skilled social workers and a failure to produce asset management plans.
Clive Grace, director-general of the Audit Commission in Wales, said: 'A greater focus is needed on the significant corporate risks that some councils face and on the actions that will do most to improve services quickly.
'Some authorities have yet to develop effective performance measurement frameworks, while some need to introduce mechanisms for reporting progress against action plans.'
PFapr2004
