Title

FINANCE

Auditors call for Welsh finance improvements

The financial planning of Welsh councils is ‘strengthening’ but there is still scope to improve the way savings are identified and delivered, auditors have said.

The financial planning of Welsh councils is ‘strengthening' but there is still scope to improve the way savings are identified and delivered, auditors have said.

A report by the Wales Audit Office noted spending within budgets was proving to be a ‘challenge' for some authorities.

It also warned the engagement of councillors and the effectiveness of decision making on savings was ‘inconsistent'.

The report called for improvements in the way savings are identified and delivered, and the development of corporate-wide income generation, charging and reserves strategies.

‘Councils in Wales are facing significant financial challenges,' said the Auditor General for Wales, Huw Vaughan Thomas.

‘The continued impact of austerity and reductions in public monies, coupled with the unclear implications of Brexit, require councils to continue to cope with uncertainties.

‘While I am pleased to see councils making progress in strengthening their financial planning, they need to do more in response to the challenging environment.'

FINANCE

Transforming public services in Liverpool City Region

By Kirsty McLean | 24 October 2025

Kirsty McLean reveals how the Liverpool-based Office for Public Service Innovation – working with the Cabinet Office’s Test, Learn and Grow programme – is la...

FINANCE

The emperor's new clothes revisited?

By Ian Miller | 23 October 2025

Ian Miller says local authorities’ final reorganisation proposals can ‘wax lyrical on all sorts of things about new councils’, but little of it can be guaran...

FINANCE

Supporting older people's health and fitness

By Phil Donnay | 23 October 2025

Phil Donnay looks at the importance for older people of keeping active.

FINANCE

Five keys to making reorganisation work

By Ian Fytche | 22 October 2025

Ian Fytche makes the case for framing a proposal for reorganisation based on five principles of health creation, climate action, reimagining place, community...

Popular articles by William Eichler