Written question WQ97515

Since the publication of the Democratic Health report, two additional reports were published in March about the sector with consistent findings. The first from the Local Government and Housing Committee Inquiry into the role, governance and accountability of the sector. The second from Audit Wales about the sector’s financial management and governance.

I presented my responses to the Plenary debate on 21 May, accepting each of the Committee’s recommendations. As was set out in the debate each of these reports, need further, careful consideration and time for thorough evaluation before future actions can be decided. Whichever course of action is taken it will have wide-ranging implications that would take considerable resource and time to enact. As such, the next government will need to finalise the way forward.

On 1 October, I issued a Written Statement setting out how several key pieces of work will be taken forward in the short to medium term, whilst decisions about the long-term direction of the sector are considered. I have set out a timeline that began in September and which will run through until next year. The timescales are intended to enable the sector to engage with each theme of work in a phased approach, that respects their capacity and that of their partners.