31 January 2008

Gwynedd claims to have improved services during difficult times

Gwynedd Council inform CaernarfonOnline that it has built firm foundations so it can continue to improve services for the county’s residents.

In its annual report on the Council’s work, the Wales Audit Office noted that Gwynedd has a good record of working within its revenue budget – a feat which is to be applauded in the current economic downturn.

Huw Lloyd Jones, the Welsh Audit Office Relationship Manager, presented the report and said that Gwynedd Council has firm arrangements in place to ensure the economic and effective use of its resources but there are some areas in which the Council can continue to improve its services.

Leader of Gwynedd Council, Councillor Dyfed Edwards, said that he was delighted to hear of this positive report.

He said: “I’m especially proud to hear the report praise the Council’s eagerness to improve and how willing it is to cooperate with others in order to achieve this. This report is testament to how keen the Council is – both dedicated staff and industrious councillors – to continue to improve public services for the benefit of Gwynedd residents.”

The Chief Executive of Gwynedd Council, Harry Thomas, said: “This report points to some areas which need looking at where hard work and difficult decision making is needed.

“Yet, despite the fact that Gwynedd Council has already faced cuts of £10 million in recent years and there is more to come, it shows that the Council has succeeded in introducing improvements at a truly difficult time.

“I would like to pay tribute to staff and Councillors for their achievements to date, but the Council will need to modernise further if services are to be improved during this climate of financial cuts.”

PHOTOGRAPH: Gwynedd Council Leader, Councillor Dyfed Edwards