Why focus on Wales?

    Because its indices of deprivation, notably on limiting long-term illness, are among the worst in the UK, and a high percentage of its housing stock is in poor condition.

    The Wales Audit Office has carried out a regeneration improvement study to see what lessons can be learned. Last month it produced the key report: Regeneration – a simpler approach for Wales, and two supplementary reports (see wao.gov.uk).

    What were the key findings?

    The WAO found that regeneration in Wales was being hampered by a number of factors. Notably, approaches to regeneration are complex and cumbersome, with too many partnership arrangements, funding streams and regimes arising from Welsh Assembly government initiatives.

    But didn’t councils seriously underspend local regeneration funding last year?

    Councils failed to spend £15m of the total £32.8m budgeted. The WAO report says the underspend arose because of: delays in project development; delays and different announcement timescales associated with the approval of applications from the Welsh Assembly; and a failure of Objective 1 (European structural) funding to link in with local priorities.

    What difference will the Welsh Assembly’s decision make to shrink its number of quangos and absorb the Welsh Development Agency?

    The merger of the WDA and other sponsored bodies into the assembly on 1 April 2006 could, the WAO believes, allow greater flexibility in funding and strategic direction.

    Report recommendations?

    Its many proposals include:

    • A call for greater clarity from the assembly on key national and regional priorities, along with greater co-ordination between assembly ministers who have responsibilities for different aspects of regeneration.
    • Local partnerships need to develop long-term strategies identifying how the regeneration agenda will be delivered
    • Simplified funding and monitoring processes
    • Training programmes in project management for all officers
    • Ensuring greater linkages are made in courses linked to planning and regeneration degrees.

    Source

    RegenerateLive