The Welsh Government’s formal support package for Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, which has been in place since 2019, is set to end at the end of the month following the progress made by the authority.
Despite the progress, the Welsh Government said there is still more improvement work to be done by the council.
The statutory support package was agreed in June 2019 following a request from the council’s then leader and in response to concerns raised by Audit Wales.
It included an Improvement and Assurance Board, the appointment of short-term external advisers for specific areas and training for members and officers.
The purpose of the support was to ensure the council could provide good quality services to Merthyr Tydfil’s residents and to bolster its own ability to improve and transform.
Commenting, the Welsh Government’s Finance and Local Government Minister, Rebecca Evans said:
“I would like to thank the council, the Improvement and Assurance Board and the external advisers for all the work they have put in and the progress which has been made since 2019.
“The ending of formal statutory support represents an important milestone for the council. Whilst it is not the end of the improvement journey for Merthyr, the council is now in a much better place to drive forward self-improvement.”
Leader of Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, Councillor Lisa Mytton added:
“Reflecting on our journey since we originally approached the Welsh Government for support, there is a marked difference in the organisation that we are today.
“However, our journey does not end here. The council will continue to work on plans for addressing its longer-term sustainability and we are looking to engage with appropriate experts to continue this conversation.”
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