Additional £500,000 to support Town and Community Councils in Wales

The Community and Town Council sector in Wales is set to receive up to £500,000 in additional Welsh Government funding to help strengthen their financial management and governance, Local Government Minister Julie James has announced today.

The funding will allow councils to access a support package to boost their governance infrastructure, including increasing training for clerks and councillors - which will help lay a strong foundation for the future.

This investment will be in addition to the annual general support provided to the sector by the Welsh Government and will reflect the areas Ministers’ have committed to take action on following the publication of the Independent Review Panel on Community and Town Councils in Wales.

The announcement follows the 2018-19 report from the Auditor General for Wales, which noted whilst the number of qualified audit opinions for councils has fallen, too many councils still receive qualified audit opinions for multiple issues.

Local Government Minister, Julie James said:

“The extra funding I am announcing today will help town and community councils across Wales strengthen their financial management and governance capabilities.

“Community and town councils are an integral part of local government, and this funding will help ensure all councils have the tools to meet their statutory requirements and have strong governance to support their communities.

“I urge all councils to consider strengthening their financial management and governance arrangements through the additional opportunities that will made available in 2020-21.”

ENDS