Accessibility tools

We have installed ReadSpeaker’s webReader, which allows visitors to instantly convert online content to audio on our website.

Click on the icon above to try this out, and take advantage of the full range of useful webReader features by clicking the link below.

Readspeaker website

Accessibility statement

This accessibility statement applies to www.audit.wales. This website is run by Audit Wales. We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website.

View accessibility statement

Reporting accessibility problems

We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems not listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, contact:

info@audit.wales

  • This report in the public interest has been prepared in accordance with Section 22 of the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2004.

    The Auditor General’s report in the public interest has identified significant, long-standing deficiencies in governance and oversight arrangements in relation to the way Blaenau Gwent County Council dealt with its own waste company, Silent Valley Waste Services Limited.

    The audit identified a number of significant concerns regarding the adequacy of the Council’s arrangements and found that the Council failed to:

    • correctly approve pay and pension arrangements in respect of Council officers appointed to the Silent Valley Board;
    • comply with procurement regulations in respect of services provided by Silent Valley;
    • ensure that Council appointments to the Board of Silent Valley complied with the Council’s constitution;
    • establish proper governance and oversight arrangements in respect of Silent Valley from 2012 onwards to ensure accountability for the use of public resources;
    • establish proper arrangements to manage potential conflicts of interest in respect of Council officers appointed to Silent Valley’s Board resulting in those officers being exposed to allegations that some of their actions were motivated by self-interest;
    • ensure that decisions to make termination payments to Silent Valley directors were in accordance with the law and Silent Valley’s governing document; and
    • put in place competitive and robust arrangements for the recruitment of Silent Valley’s new General Manager, (the Company’s most senior officer) in 2016.
    ,
    Blaenau Gwent County Council has taken firm action to address the deficiencies in its governance and oversight arrangements in respect of Silent Valley. However, the Council needs to ensure the culture that contributed to the deficiencies found by the audit no longer continues.
    ,

    There are lessons in the report that other Councils could find useful to learn from.

    ,

    Related article

    Long-standing deficiencies identified in Council’s governance and oversight arrangements in respect of a council owned waste company

    View more
CAPTCHA