Commenting on a Wales Audit Office report – which found ‘fundamental issues of weak financial management and governance across a large number of Community and Town Councils in Wales’ - Shadow Minister for Local Government Janet Finch-Saunders AM, said:

“It is more than clear that deep-rooted financial problems persist in many town and community councils.

“Taxpayers will rightly question the apathy of those that fail to submit accounts on time and it remains extremely worrying that so many have failed to meet the required standards.

“These councils have an extremely important part to play in public life – but there is no excuse for playing so fast and loose with public money.

“Welsh Conservatives welcome moves by the Audit Office to improve the financial management and governance of these councils and I hope best practice will be shared by those that are meeting the appropriate standards and swift improvements seen in those that are not.”