Concerns voiced over lack of scrutiny for council board

COUNCILLORS have raised concerns over the lack of scrutiny of a multiagency board in Bridgend after it was revealed those involved in scrutinising it haven’t met in a year.

Public Services Boards (PSB) were established in each local authority in Wales by the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act.

Set up to improve the economic, social, environmental and cultural wellbeing of the area, they are required to prepare and publish a local wellbeing plan with objectives and the steps they will take to meet them.

But while Bridgend’s PSB continues to meet on a regular basis, Bridgend County Borough Council’s PSB scrutiny panel hasn’t met since October 2017.

Speaking at the meeting where the issue was highlighted, Councillor Rod Shaw said: “The PSB hasn’t had one review of scrutiny for a year.

“At the time of the last meeting in October, there was a draft proposal for the wellbeing plan for Bridgend county’s PSB.

“It’s actually moved on to the point where the plan has been published – it’s available on the council’s website, but we haven’t scrutinised it or its content.”

Committee chair Cheryl Green said: “If it doesn’t meet, what is the rationality behind it?

“It can’t be effective if it doesn’t get together.”

Officers said the delay was down to the council chief executive Darren Mepham, who “wants to do it in a different way”.

Councillors said committee needed booting”.

Bridgend Council’s PSB includes representatives of the local health board, fire service and police, as well as Bridgend College and Valleys to Coast housing association. the “re-