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The 22 local authorities in Wales spend more than £4 billion every year on a range of services that affect the lives of everyone in our communities - from education to consumer protection, social care to highways maintenance and housing to leisure facilities.
As major employers councils contribute significantly to local economies. As community leaders, they bring together other agencies – in the private, public and voluntary sectors – to work towards common goals that meet the needs and aspirations of their citizens.
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Demands on these services are increasing, as are public expectations of quality, responsiveness and cost effectiveness. The Wales Audit Office works closely with councils, the Welsh Assembly Government and other regulators and inspectors to improve local public services. The main vehicle for doing so is the Wales Programme for Improvement (WPI) which is underpinned by the statutory requirements of the Local Government Act 1999.
Councils are held to public account for their performance by the external regulators through annual audit and inspection programmes.Some of the WAO’s work with local authorities is derived from the Code of Audit and Inspection Practice, other work derives from its inspection powers, including the WPI process which is explained here.
Contact Us
For more information on the WAO’s work with local government, please contact:
Anthony Snow: Chief Operating Officer, Wales Audit Office
Julie May: Wales Programme for Improvement Co-ordinator, Wales Audit Office
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