Jennifer Sprinks,
Regen.net,
9 July 2009
The Welsh Assembly Government scheme to tackle poverty and deprivation could fail to meet its objectives unless it is given higher priority, the auditor general for Wales has warned.
The report by Jeremy Colman also says that the Wag needs to monitor the outcomes of the Communities First scheme - which was launched in 2001 - more effectively.
The objectives of Communities First - on which the Wag has spent £214 million - include getting local people involved in improving their areas and their own prospects and bringing in funding and support from a range of sources to support such objectives.
But the report said the Wag could struggle to meet its wider objectives for the programme unless it adopts a stronger approach to "programme bending", which requires public bodies to prioritise Communities First areas for spending.
The report added that the Wag "cannot demonstrate how far Communities First is meeting its very ambitious and challenging objectives".
The report commended the Wag for the improvements that had been made to the Communities First scheme since its launch, particularly in the way that it distributes funds and monitors performance.
To read the report click here
