National Assembly Committee opens consultation on Public Audit (Wales) Bill

23 July 2012

A National Assembly for Wales Committee is asking the public for its views on the Public Audit (Wales) Bill.

The Bill put forward by the Welsh Government sets out a number of proposals, that according to the Explanatory Memorandum which accompanies it, aims “to strengthen and improve the accountability and governance arrangements relating to the Auditor General for Wales and the Wales Audit Office whilst protecting the auditor general’s independence and objectivity.”

According to the Explanatory Memorandum, these changes are necessary to address concerns raised in relation to the Auditor General for Wales and the Wales Audit Office which arose from how a previous Auditor General for Wales fulfilled aspects of his duties which highlighted a lack of robust external accountability. The Explanatory Memorandum notes that the current Auditor General for Wales has already implemented arrangements to improve governance and accountability weaknesses by strengthening internal control systems and introducing regular review processes.

The Wales Audit Office is the public service watchdog for Wales. It audits the accounts of public bodies and examines the way services are being delivered. The Auditor General for Wales is independent of government and leads the Wales Audit Office.

The Public Accounts Committee is calling for evidence as it considers the general principles of the Bill and the need for legislation to improve accountability and governance arrangements of the Auditor General for Wales, the Wales Audit Office, and other related matters, by reference to:

-  the individual provisions set out in the Bill—

• Sections 2-12, relating to the Auditor General for Wales,

• Section 13-28, relating to the Wales Audit Office and its relationship with the Auditor General, and

• Sections 29-37, which make miscellaneous and general provision;

-  any potential barriers to the implementation of these provisions and whether the Bill takes account of them;

-  the financial implications of the Bill;

-  the appropriateness of the powers in the Bill for Welsh Ministers to make subordinate legislation.

“This Bill concerns the future accountability and governance arrangements of the Auditor General for Wales and the Wales Audit Office,” said the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, Darren Millar AM.

“It is important that we gather people’s views on the subject. We would ask anyone with an opinion on this to consider the Bill and the Explanatory Memorandum which accompanies it and submit their ideas to the Committee.

“We look forward to hearing their thoughts and opinions on this issue.”

The public consultation on the Bill will close on 5 October 2012.