Auditor General Goes: Good News For Staff

Jeremy Colman,the Auditor General for Wales, quit suddenly yesterday. Speculation over the reasons for his departure was detailed in the media today.
But his resignation must lead to a complete change in the culture of the Wales Audit Office.
Over the last two of three years relations between staff and some managers have been frankly appalling. There have been a series of employment disputes, complaints about bullying and pay-outs to staff using public money. And those departing with pay-offs have had to sign confidentiality clauses preventing them from telling the terrible truth about life in the Wales Audit Office.
Really, the full story about staff-management relations needs to come out - it should not be buried because it is embarrassing.
Jeremy Colman, as the man in charge,failed to tackle the issue and did not crackdown hard on the perpetrators.
Scrutiny is needed of the scrutiniser of public bodies and that has not really happened until now. Many politicians have appeared reluctant to take up this issue.It's time Members of the Assembly's Public Accounts Committee showed their mettle because staff should not be expected to work in such a hostile environment.
Late last year former Finance Minister Andrew Davies revealed that he had successfully sought an amendment to the Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill which would give the Assembly the powers to introduce new governance arrangements for the Wales Audit Office. They paralleled the powers the UK Parliament had sought in relation to the National Audit Office. It is hoped the Assembly will be use those powers as soon as possible.