Pembs council ‘needs culture change’

PEMBROKESHIRE County Council needs a “fundamental culture change and new strategic approach”, the Auditor General has said.

A corporate assessment report published today also says the authority cannot yet provide adequate assurance that its arrangements are capable of delivering its priorities and “improved outcomes for citizens”.

Auditor General for Wales Huw Vaughan Thomas said the council is in the early stages of developing a new corporate strategy and organisational principles to deliver its service priorities within the financial constraints it faces.

But he said there was a “lack of clarity in relation to key governance roles and responsibilities within the council” which is weakening accountability.

Mr Vaughan Thomas makes a statutory recommendation that the council develops a strategic plan that sets out a clear vision for the future delivery of its services “within the financial constraints it faces over the medium term”. The authority is also required to produce an action plan to address weaknesses in its arrangements which are set out in the report.

The report says aspects of the governance arrangements in place do not support consistent transparency in decision-making and there are currently no effective arrangements in place to help identify and address these weaknesses.

The council has appointed consultants PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to provide the additional expertise to drive forward a transformation agenda.

“The council is working proactively with strategic partners to deliver improved outcomes for citizens in Pembrokeshire, and is monitoring the performance of these partnerships,” said the report. “Partners are positive about future collaborations as they observe a change in openness and culture within the council.”

The council will make a formal response to the Auditor General in January.