Spending watchdog asks police to look into Porthcawl town council's accounts

Wales' top public spending watchdog has asked South Wales Police to look into Porthcawl Town Council's accounts.

Audit Wales, that is accountable for auditing public sector accounts in Wales, asked police to intervene because it has "concerns that may potentially fall outside of its remit to consider and produce to some conclusion".

In an argument, Porthcawl Town Council asserted the auditors "have to interview members and staff in the council to achieve a complete view of certain events and decisions".

It said that the auditors had been working on "an in-depth audit" of the council's accounts for 2021/20. It added that Audit Wales had asked South Wales Police "whether it could be appropriate to advance to interviews" and the force "advised that they'll certainly be using this matter forward".

"Audit Wales and Porthcawl Town Council will help South Wales Police fully using their enquiries," it said.

An Audit Wales spokesperson said: "We've been completing an audit of Porthcawl Town Council's accounts. South Wales Police are currently investigating matters further and we'll be assisting law enforcement fully using their enquiries. We cannot comment any more as the investigation is underway."

The full statement from the council read: "Audit Wales happen to be undertaking an in-depth audit of the Town Council's makes up about 2021/2021. Audit Wales have now arrived at a situation where they'll need to interview members and staff of the Council to achieve an entire look at certain events and decisions. However, Audit Wales have some concerns that could potentially fall outside of their remit to think about and bring to some conclusion.

"Audit Wales have conferred with South Wales Police to see if it might be appropriate to progress to interviews. South Wales Police have advised that they'll certainly be using this matter forward. Audit Wales and Porthcawl Town Council will assist South Wales Police fully with their enquiries."

A spokesperson for South Wales Police said: "We can confirm that an investigation is underway carrying out a recent referral by Audit Wales. This investigation is in its infancy also it would therefore be inappropriate to comment further at the moment."