03/29/2024

Wales News Online

Local & National News for Wales

CHANGES to the joint committee arrangements for the billion pound Swansea Bay City Deal have been made following a recent review.

Pembrokeshire County Council led the review work with auditors and authority leader Cllr David Simpson told cabinet members on Monday (October 7) that all recommendations were accepted and implemented.

One of the main governance arrangement change was the appointment  of an independent programme director and to replace the regional office with a portfolio management office, said Cllr Simpson.

Pembrokeshire would take on the lead role of audit with the three other authorities involved also taking on different functions – Swansea council has taken over the monitoring officer and democratic functions with scrutiny remaining with Neath Port Talbot and Carmarthenshire council having
the accountable body and section 151 officer functions.

“Our audit term work under extreme pressure and we know this. What we are talking about here is a general audit function, if extra work is involved there will be a charge,” added Cllr Simpson.

He also assured members that despite the change in voting balance, to three out of four councils, no Pembrokeshire projects or decisions could be taken without his casting vote.

Pembrokeshire’s main project is the Pembroke Dock Marine plan which is in line  to receive £60million with those behind the project due to speak at full council on Thursday, October 10.

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