Short-term funding hampering Wales

Regeneration policy in Wales is uncoordinated and based on a deluge
of multiple, short-term funding streams, according to the Wales
Audit Office.

In a report published last week, it says there is a strong
commitment to regenerating disadvantaged areas across national and
local government and other sectors. However, it complains that this
is hampered by too many Welsh assembly government
initiatives.

It calls for the assembly government to set clear national and
regional priorities for regeneration, with longer-term, simplified
funding streams, and for local partnerships to set 10-year
strategies for regenerating their areas.

The Audit Office said: “The current approach is complex and
cumbersome, with too many partnership arrangements, funding streams
and regimes arising from Welsh assembly government
initiatives.”

The report was welcomed by the Welsh Local Government Association.

Its spokesperson for economic development, Bob Wellington, said:
“Regeneration funding needs to be longer-term and more flexible to
allow councils to invest and respond to local needs.”