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Council criticism in audit report Council criticism in audit report
(about 2 hours later)
A highly critical audit report has revealed serious management failings at the highest levels of a Welsh council.A highly critical audit report has revealed serious management failings at the highest levels of a Welsh council.
The Wales Audit Office warns Denbighshire council's arrangements will not be able to deliver the scale of improvements to achieve its targets.The Wales Audit Office warns Denbighshire council's arrangements will not be able to deliver the scale of improvements to achieve its targets.
It also highlighted "tension" between the council and some local politicians.It also highlighted "tension" between the council and some local politicians.
The council, which has been subject of other critical reports over the last two years, said it accepted the broad findings and recommendations.The council, which has been subject of other critical reports over the last two years, said it accepted the broad findings and recommendations.
The Wales Audit Office noted that if the authority's former chief executive, Ian Miller, had not left his post two weeks ago, the Welsh Assembly Government would have been recommended to take further action. There are poor relationships between the council and some local members of the Assembly and Parliament Wales Audit Office There are poor relationships between the council and some local members of the Assembly and Parliament Wales Audit Office
Mr Miller's resignation came after a difficult period for the council, which was strongly criticised in a report by schools inspector Estyn in September 2007. It has been a difficult period for the council, which led to the resignation of chief executive Ian Miller.
The council was strongly criticised in a report by schools inspector Estyn in September 2007.
It highlighted poor communication and "ineffective" political leadership at the council and the criticisms led to the ousting of then leader Rhiannon Hughes.It highlighted poor communication and "ineffective" political leadership at the council and the criticisms led to the ousting of then leader Rhiannon Hughes.
In September 2008, the council was criticised for the way it handled the opening and closure of Hyfrydle, a residential centre for autistic children which opened in 2007.In September 2008, the council was criticised for the way it handled the opening and closure of Hyfrydle, a residential centre for autistic children which opened in 2007.
The Wales Audit Office report said political leadership was stronger and more strategically-focussed than in the past.The Wales Audit Office report said political leadership was stronger and more strategically-focussed than in the past.
However, it said senior officers were not consistent in providing the level of direction and corporate discipline needed to deliver the council's improvement ambitions.However, it said senior officers were not consistent in providing the level of direction and corporate discipline needed to deliver the council's improvement ambitions.
The report said action might have been called for if Ian Miller had not left Ian Miller resigned as chief executive in November
It added "that there are poor relationships between the council and some local members of the assembly and parliament that impact on the ability of the council to provide services to local people."It added "that there are poor relationships between the council and some local members of the assembly and parliament that impact on the ability of the council to provide services to local people."
The report said the council had tried to open up channels of communication, but it had been largely ineffective.The report said the council had tried to open up channels of communication, but it had been largely ineffective.
It said the council based its priorities on a high level assessment of need but did not define in sufficient detail what it hoped to achieve and had therefore been unable to plan effectively.It said the council based its priorities on a high level assessment of need but did not define in sufficient detail what it hoped to achieve and had therefore been unable to plan effectively.
The document said while the council's current arrangements are capable of supporting gradual changes and improvements, they will not deliver the transformation it aspires to and requires.The document said while the council's current arrangements are capable of supporting gradual changes and improvements, they will not deliver the transformation it aspires to and requires.
Among other recommendations, it called for the council to improve its working with key stakeholders to improve public services in Denbighshire, and to clearly define its priorities and how they would be delivered.Among other recommendations, it called for the council to improve its working with key stakeholders to improve public services in Denbighshire, and to clearly define its priorities and how they would be delivered.
The audit office said it had been encouraged by the council's reaction to its report. We would like to reassure the county's residents and all partner organisations that the council is going to improve and it is going to listen Alan Evans, acting chief executiveThe audit office said it had been encouraged by the council's reaction to its report. We would like to reassure the county's residents and all partner organisations that the council is going to improve and it is going to listen Alan Evans, acting chief executive
The Auditor General for Wales, Jeremy Colman, said: " My report points to an extended period where the council has not always operated effectively at a strategic level and also to the present corporate governance arrangements, which we saw as unlikely to deliver significant improvement.The Auditor General for Wales, Jeremy Colman, said: " My report points to an extended period where the council has not always operated effectively at a strategic level and also to the present corporate governance arrangements, which we saw as unlikely to deliver significant improvement.
"I am hopeful that the council will respond positively to the report and tackle the issues highlighted in a determined manner. I am encouraged by the initial response to my report.""I am hopeful that the council will respond positively to the report and tackle the issues highlighted in a determined manner. I am encouraged by the initial response to my report."
Council leader, Hugh Evans, said the council acknowledged the issues highlighted in the report "which have now been or are being addressedCouncil leader, Hugh Evans, said the council acknowledged the issues highlighted in the report "which have now been or are being addressed
Alan Evans, acting chief executive, said: "We would like to reassure the county's residents and all partner organisations that the council is going to improve and it is going to listen."Alan Evans, acting chief executive, said: "We would like to reassure the county's residents and all partner organisations that the council is going to improve and it is going to listen."
Vale of Clwyd AM, Ann Jones, said: "It is pleasing to note the political leadership is stronger and more strategically focused than in the past and that the leader Coun Hugh Evans has high expectations that he can deliver this improvement.Vale of Clwyd AM, Ann Jones, said: "It is pleasing to note the political leadership is stronger and more strategically focused than in the past and that the leader Coun Hugh Evans has high expectations that he can deliver this improvement.
"I am happy to support him in this aim.""I am happy to support him in this aim."