Communities First comes under spotlight from Public Accounts Committee

The Welsh Government’s flagship programme Communities First will come under scrutiny from the Public Accounts Committee for the National Assembly for Wales on Thursday 3 December.

Permanent Secretary to the Welsh Government Dame Gillian Morgan will be taking questions from the committee members along with Emyr Roberts, Director General for Public Service and Local Government Delivery, and Paul Dear, the Head of Communities First.

Chair of the Public Accounts Committee Jonathan Morgan said: “This is an opportunity for those people who head up Communities First to tell us why this flagship project received such an uncomplimentary report from the Auditor General for Wales earlier this year.”

“That report showed some benefits from the programme but also highlighted serious weaknesses despite more than 200 million pounds being spent on various projects.”

Set up in 2001 the programme is designed to improve the living conditions and prospects for people in the most disadvantaged communities across Wales.

Members of the public are invited to attend the meeting in Committee Room 3 of the Senedd in Cardiff Bay at 1.30pm.

The session will also be broadcast live on www.senedd.tv.