WALES AUDIT OFFICE

SWYDDFA ARCHWILIO CYMRU

Key news this month

• Review of the Year
• Making the Connections Review
• Ambulance Inquiry
• NHS Waiting Times Update
• Central Government and NHS Finances
• Crime Data 2006
• Value for Money Conclusion
• Framework Contracts

• Conference Feedback

Review of the Year

During the first year of the life of the Wales Audit Office the Auditor General set two key objectives: to establish and give strategic direction to the new organisation and to provide continuity of service to the bodies he and his appointed auditors audit and inspect as well as to other stakeholders.

In our Review of the Year there is an explanation of how he and his staff have achieved these objectives and built a platform for future success.

Click here to read the review. Our Annual Report and Accounts are also available on our website.

For more information contact Susan Morgan (Head of Communications) on 029 2026 2696 or email susan.morgan@wao.gov.uk

Making the Connections Review

The Auditor General for Wales is planning a major review that crosses the entire Welsh public sector. The review will establish the extent to which public services are meeting the challenges of the Assembly’s framework agenda for change, Making the Connections. It will assess overall progress in all parts of the Welsh public service addressing the core themes of the agenda. The approach will be consistent across sectors, collaborative, grounded in self-assessment and will build on existing work. It aims to identify key barriers to progress; search for solutions; share findings, and spread good practice.

The review will examine issues around joint working such as objective and target setting, efficiency gains, performance measurement and validation, customer focus and leadership.

For more information on the work of the Wales Audit Office including this review visit the Wales Audit Office website http://www.wao.gov.uk/ or contact Anthony Snow, Wales Audit Office  Partner and Chief Operating Officer, on 029 2026 2685 or e-mail anthony.snow@wao.gov.uk

Ambulance Inquiry

The Auditor General, Jeremy Colman has confirmed that he is accepting the National Assembly’s invitation to carry out an inquiry into the Wales Ambulance Service Trust. The Inquiry will be supported by a team of financial and performance experts from the Wales Audit Office and closely integrated with the special review of the trust announced by Healthcare Inspectorate Wales in May. The Auditor General will publish a report in the autumn of 2006.

NHS Waiting Times Update

The NHS in Wales has made considerable progress in reducing long waiting times and in tackling their causes strategically, according to the Auditor General for Wales, Jeremy Colman. But his report to the Assembly’s Audit Committee says that there are still some known risks that will need careful management in order to deliver and sustain the Welsh Assembly Government’s ambitious target that by December 2009 no patient should wait more than six months from GP referral to treatment.

Click here for a copy of the report.

Central Government and NHS Finances

Standards of financial management in the Welsh central government and NHS sectors remain generally good and continue to get better, according to the Auditor General’s annual summary report into their accounts. But, the report calls for improvements to controls over grant-spending, asset management and payment standards.

The report summarises the 2004/2005 accounts of the National Assembly for Wales and its related bodies. And, for the first time this year, it includes the accounts of local NHS bodies in Wales - to reflect the Auditor General’s new role as the statutory external auditor of these bodies.

Click here for a copy of the report.

For more information contact Mike Usher, Wales Audit Office Partner, on 029 2067 8505 or email mike.usher@wao.gov.uk

Crime Data

This joint report by the Wales Audit Office and the Audit Commission looks at how well the 43 police forces and authorities in England and Wales record crime data and compares their performance over the last three years. Crime Data 2005 found that most forces and authorities meet the crime recording standards and all but two have adequate management arrangements in place to maintain and improve compliance. In Wales, all forces and authorities have shown improvements.

For a copy of the report click here. For more information contact Anthony Barrett, Wales Audit Office Partner, on 01244 525972 or email anthony.barrett@wao.gov.uk

Value for Money Conclusion

Auditors of local government and local NHS bodies are required to include a conclusion in their audit reports on whether the audited body has put in place proper arrangements to secure economy efficiency and effectiveness in its use of resources. A short document explaining how the process works has now been placed on our website.

For a copy of the value for money conclusion report, click here.

For more information contact Simon Edge, Wales Audit Office Partner, on 029 2067 8564 or email simon.edge@wao.gov.uk

Framework Contracts

The Auditor General, Jeremy Colman, received a high level of responses to the consultation on his Appointments and Contracting Strategy. The document sets out how audit work should be packaged between the Wales Audit Office and audit firms after April 2007.

A summary of consultation responses is now available on our website. Following this consultation process, and in accordance with EU procurement guidelines, contracting notices have now been issued.

To read the consultation responses click here.

Wales Audit Office Conference Feedback

Feedback from our inaugural conference indicates a very high level of satisfaction with the event, One Public Sector for Wales, held on 10 May 2006. For slides and other details of the day click here.

Other recent reports

Our Strategy

The Wales Audit Office has launched its three year strategy to help deliver improvements to public services. The document, published in May, sets out how the organisation intends to work to ensure that people in Wales benefit from accountable, well-managed public services that offer the best possible value for money.

To read the Wales Audit Office Strategy click here.

For more information, please contact Ceri Stradling, Wales Audit Office Partner, on 01244 525 973 or e-mail ceri.stradling@wao.gov.uk

Cardiff Council Members’ Allowances and Officers’ Remuneration

Cardiff County Council acted unlawfully and failed to act with transparency or in an accountable manner when it implemented increases in Members’ Allowances and officers’ remuneration, according to the Appointed Auditor, Janet Jones. Her public interest report, published 24 April, criticises the Council for falling short of the standards of conduct that the public were entitled to expect.

For a copy of the report and press release Click here.

Wales Programme for Improvement

This report examines the overall success of the Wales Programme for Improvement. It found that the programme’s flexibility has been instrumental in securing commitment to it, but that this flexibility makes it difficult to demonstrate improvement consistently. Overall, the report notes some good signs of improvement, but paints a mixed picture of how authorities are operating and delivering services.

Click here for a copy of the report and press release.

For more information, please contact Anthony Snow, Wales Audit Office Chief Operating Officer, on 029 2026 2685 or e-mail anthony.snow@wao.gov.uk

Government of Wales Act

In the final day of the House of Lords Committee Stage, Parliament considered the financial provisions in the Government of Wales Bill. Click here for a transcript of the debate (clause 117 onwards).Click here for a transcript of The House of Lords Report Stage.

For more information, please contact Ian Summers, Wales Audit Office Partner on 029 2067 8502 or e-mail ian.summers@wao.gov.uk

Forthcoming reports

Day Surgery

A joint examination of ambulatory care and day surgery in NHS Wales. This report will draw on the Acute Hospital Portfolio Phase 5 data.

For more information contact Gillian Body, Wales Audit Office Partner, on 029 2026 2575or email, gillian.body@wao.gov.uk

Assembly sickness absence

A review levels and trends relating to sickness absence within the Assembly and arrangements for managing sickness absence. This report will build on some of the themes in the previous sector wide examinations of sickness absence across the NHS in Wales and Further Education in Wales.

For more information contact Gillian Body, Wales Audit Office Partner, on 029 2026 2575or email, gillian.body@wao.gov.uk

We hope you find this bulletin useful. However, if you do not wish to receive updates by e-mail please let us know at: info@wao.gov.uk

The Wales Audit Office will not pass on, sell or in any way use recipients’ addresses other than for the distribution of relevant information.

Cylchlythyr Gorffennaf 2006

Croeso i gylchlythyr Swyddfa Archwilio Cymru, sy’n rhoi newyddion i chi am rai o’n hadroddiadau diweddaraf a newyddion o’r sefydliad.

Newyddion allweddol y mis hwn

• Adolygiad o’r Flwyddyn
• Adolygiad Creu’r Cysylltiadau a Beecham
• Ymchwiliad ambiwlans
• Y Diweddaraf am Amserau Aros y GIG
• Llywodraeth Ganolog a Chyllid y GIG
• Data Troseddau 2006
• Casgliad Gwerth am Arian
• Contractau Fframweithiau
• Adborth o’r Gynhadledd

Adolygiad o’r Flwyddyn

Yn ystod blwyddyn gyntaf Swyddfa Archwilio Cymru, pennodd yr Archwilydd Cyffredinol ddau nod allweddol: i sefydlu a rhoi arweiniad strategol i’r corff newydd ac i ddarparu parhad gwasanaeth i’r cyrff y mae ef a’i archwilwyr penodedig yn eu harchwilio a’u harolygu yn ogystal â rhanddeiliaid eraill.

Yn ein Hadolygiad o’r Flwyddyn mae esboniad o sut y mae ef a’i staff wedi derbyn yr amcanion hynny ac wedi adeiladu platfform ar gyfer llwyddiant yn y dyfodol.

Cliciwch yma i ddarllen yr adolygiad. Mae ein Hadroddiad a Chyfrifon Blynyddol hefyd ar gael ar ein gwefan.

Am ragor o wybodaeth cysylltwch â Susan Morgan (Pennaeth Cyfathrebiadau) ar 029 2026 2696 neu anfonwch e-bost at susan.morgan@wao.gov.uk

Adolygiad Creu’r Cysylltiadau

Mae Archwilydd Cyffredinol Cymru yn bwriadu cynnal adolygiad mawr ar draws holl sector cyhoeddus Cymru. Bydd yr adolygiad yn sefydlu i ba raddau y mae gwasanaethau cyhoeddus yn ateb heriau agenda fframwaith ar gyfer newid y Cynulliad, Creu’r Cysylltiadau. Bydd hefyd yn asesu cynnydd cyffredinol ym mhob rhan o wasanaeth cyhoeddus Cymru gan fynd i’r afael â themâu craidd yr agenda. Bydd yr ymagwedd yn gyson ar draws y sectorau, bydd yn gydweithredol, ac wedi’i seilio’n gadarn ar hunanasesiad a bydd yn adeiladu ar waith presennol. Y nod yw nodi’r rhwystrau allweddol i gynnydd; chwilio am atebion; rhannu canfyddiadau, a lledaenu arferion da.

Bydd yr adolygiad yn archwilio’r materion ynghylch gweithio ar y cyd fel pennu amcanion a thargedau, arbedion effeithlonrwydd, mesur a gwerthuso perfformiad, canolbwyntio ar gwsmeriaid ac ar arweiniad.

Am ragor o wybodaeth ar waith Swyddfa Archwilio Cymru, gan gynnwys yr adolygiad hwn, ewch i wefan Swyddfa Archwilio Cymru http://www.wao.gov.uk/ neu cysylltwch ag Anthony Snow, Partner a Prif Swyddog Gweithredu, ar 029 2026 2685 neu anfonwch e-bost at anthony.snow@wao.gov.uk

Ymchwiliad ambiwlans

Mae Archwilydd Cyffredinol Cymru, Jeremy Colman, wedi cadarnhau ei fod yn derbyn gwahoddiad y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol i gynnal ymchwiliad i Ymddiriedolaeth Gwasanaeth Ambiwlans Cymru. Cefnogir yr ymchwiliad gan dîm o arbenigwyr ariannol a pherfformiad o Swyddfa Archwilio Cymru a bydd yn integredig gyda’r adolygiad arbennig o’r ymddiriedolaeth a gyhoeddwyd gan Arolygiaeth Gofal Iechyd Cymru ym mis Mai. Bydd yr Archwilydd Cyffredinol yn cyhoeddi adroddiad yn hydref 2006.

Y Diweddaraf am Amserau Aros y GIG

Mae'r GIG yng Nghymru wedi gwneud cynnydd sylweddol o ran lleihau amseroedd aros a mynd i'r afael a'u hachosion yn strategol, yn ôl Archwilydd Cyffredinol Cymru, Jeremy Colman. Ond, dywed ei adroddiad wrth Bwyllgor Archwilio'r Cynulliad bod rhai risgiau hysbys yn bodoli o hyd, y bydd angen eu rheoli'n ofalus er mwyn cyflawni a chynnal targed uchelgeisiol Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru, na ddylai unrhyw glaf, rebyn mis Rhagfyr 2009, aros mwy na chwe mis o'r adeg y bydd y meddyg teulu yn ei atgyfeirio i gael triniaeth.

Cliciwch yma am gopi o’r adroddiad.

Llywodraeth Ganolog a Chyllid y GIG

Yn gyffredinol y mae safonau rheolaeth ariannol yn sectorau llywodraeth ganolog Cymru a’r GIG yn parhau i fod yn dda ac i wella, yn ôl adroddiad blynyddol yr Archwilydd Cyffredinol ar eu cyfrifon. Ond, mae’r adroddiad yn galw am welliannau i reolaethau dros wario grantiau, rheoli asesu a safonau talu.

Mae’r adroddiad yn crynhoi cyfrifon 2004/2005 Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru a’i gyrff cysylltiedig. Ac, am y tro cyntaf eleni, mae’n cynnwys cyfrifon cyrff lleol y GIG yng Nghymru – i adlewyrchu swyddogaeth newydd yr Archwilydd Cyffredinol fel archwilydd cyffredinol allanol y cyrff hynny.

Cliciwch yma am gopi o’r adroddiad.

Am ragor o wybodaeth cysylltwch â Mike Usher, Partner Swyddfa Archwilio Cymru, ar 029 2067 8505 neu anfonwch ebost at mike.usher@wao.gov.uk

Data Troseddau

Mae’r cydadroddiad hwn gan Swyddfa Archwilio Cymru a’r Comisiwn Archwilio’n edrych ar ba mor dda yw’r 43 o luoedd ac awdurdodau’r heddlu yng Nghymru a Lloegr wrth gofnodi data am droseddau ac yn cymharu eu perfformiad dros y tair blynedd ddiwethaf. Darganfu Crime Data 2005 fod y rhan fwyaf o luoedd ac awdurdodau’n ateb y safonau cofnodi troseddau ac mae gan bob un ond dau drefniadau rheoli digonol i gadw cydymffurfiad a’i wella. Yng Nghymru, y mae pob llu ac awdurdod wedi dangos gwelliannau.

Am gopi o’r adroddiad cliciwch yma. Am ragor o wybodaeth cysylltwch â Anthony Barrett, Partner Swyddfa Archwilio Cymru, 01244 525972 neu anfonwch ebost at anthony.barrett@wao.gov.uk

Casgliad Gwerth am Arian

Mae’n ofynnol i archwilwyr llywodraeth leol a chyrff GIG lleol gynnwys casgliad yn eu hadroddiadau archwilio ar a yw’r corff a archwilir wedi sefydlu trefniadau priodol i sicrhau effeithlonrwydd ac effeithiolrwydd darbodusrwydd yn y ffordd y mae’n defnyddio adnoddau. Rydym wedi rhoi dogfen fer sy’n esbonio sut mae’r proses yn gweithio ar ein gwefan.

Am gopi o adroddiad y casgliad gwerth am arian, cliciwch yma.

Am ragor o wybodaeth cysylltwch â Simon Edge, Partner Swyddfa Archwilio Cymru, ar 029 2067 8564 neu anfonwch ebost at simon.edge@wao.gov.uk

Contractau Fframweithiau

Derbyniodd yr Archwilydd Cyffredinol, Jeremy Colman, lefel uchel o ymatebion i’r ymgynghoriad ar ei Strategaeth Penodiadau a Chontractio. Mae’r ddogfen hon yn cyflwyno sut y dylai gwaith archwilio gael ei becynnu rhwng Swyddfa Archwilio Cymru a ffyrmiau archwilio ar ôl Ebrill 2007.

Mae crynodeb o ymatebion i’r ymgynghoriad bellach ar gael ar ein gwefan. Yn dilyn y proses ymgynghoriad hwn, ac yn unol â chanllawiau caffael y DU, cyhoeddwyd hysbysebion contractio.

I ddarllen yr ymatebion i’r ymgynghoriad cliciwch yma.

Adborth o Gynhadledd Swyddfa Archwilio Cymru

Mae adborth o’n cynhadledd gychwynnol yn dangos lefel uchel iawn o fodlonrwydd ar y digwyddiad, Un Sector Cyhoeddus i Gymru, a gynhaliwyd ar 10 Mai 2006. Am sleidiau a manylion eraill y dydd clicwch Mae adborth o’n cynhadledd gychwynnol yn dangos lefel uchel iawn o fodlonrwydd ar y digwyddiad, Un Sector Cyhoeddus i Gymru, a gynhaliwyd ar 10 Mai 2006. Am sleidiau a manylion eraill y dydd cliciwch yma.

Adroddiadau diweddar eraill

Ein Strategaeth

Mae Swyddfa Archwilio Cymru wedi lansio ei strategaeth dair blynedd i helpu i gyflawni gwelliannau i wasanaethau cyhoeddus. Mae’r ddogfen, a gyhoeddwyd ym mis Mai, yn cyflwyno sut mae’r sefydliad yn bwriadu gweithio i sicrhau bod pobl yng Nghymru yn elwa ar wasanaethau atebol, a reolir yn dda, sy’n cynnig y gwerth gorau posibl am arian.

I ddarllen Strategaeth Swyddfa Archwilio Cymru cliciwch yma.

Am ragor o wybodaeth, cysylltwch â Ceri Stradling, Partner Swyddfa Archwilio Cymru, ar 01244 525 973 neu anfonwch e-bost at ceri.stradling@wao.gov.uk 

Lwfansau Aelodau a Thaliadau Cydnabyddiaeth Swyddogion

Gweithredodd Cyngor Sir Caerdydd yn anghyfreithlon a methodd weithredu gyda didwylledd neu mewn modd atebol pan roddodd cynyddiadau mewn Lwfansau Aelodau a thaliadau cydnabyddiaeth swyddogion ar waith, yn ôl yr Archwiliwr Penodedig, Janet Jones. Mae ei hadroddiad er budd y cyhoedd, a gyhoeddwyd ar 24 Ebrill, yn beirniadu’r Cyngor am fod yn llai na’r safonau ymddygiad yr oedd gan y cyhoedd hawl i’w disgwyl.

Am gopi o’r adroddiad a’r datganiad i’r wasg Cliciwch yma.

Cynllun Cymru ar gyfer Gwella

Mae’r adroddiad hwn yn archwilio llwyddiant cyffredinol Cynllun Cymru ar gyfer Gwella. Darganfu i hyblygrwydd y rhaglen fod yn allweddol wrth sicrhau ymrwymiad iddi, ond bod yr hyblygrwydd hwn yn ei gwneud yn anodd dangos gwelliant yn gyson. Yn gyffredinol, mae’r adroddiad yn nodi rhai arwyddion o welliant, ond mae’n rhoi darlun cymysg o sut mae awdurdodau’n yn ei weithredu ac yn cyflawni gwasanaethau.

Cliciwch yma am gopi o’r adroddiad a’r datganiad i’r wasg.

Am ragor o wybodaeth, cysylltwch ag Anthony Snow, Prif Swyddog Gweithredu Swyddfa Archwilio Cymru, ar 029 2026 2685 neu anfonwch e-bost at anthony.snow@wao.gov.uk

Deddf Llywodraeth Cymru

Yn ystod dyddiau olaf Cam Pwyllgor Tŷ’r Arglwyddi, ystyriodd y Senedd y darpariaethau ariannol yn Neddf Llywodraeth Cymru. Cliciwch yma am drawsgrifiad o’r ddadl (cymal 117 ymlaen). Cliciwch yma am drawsgrifiad o Gyfnod Adrodd Tŷ’r Arglwyddi.

Am ragor o wybodaeth, cysylltwch â Ian Summers, Partner Swyddfa Archwilio Cymru, ar 029