THE AUDITOR general sounded the alarm about the “irregular” accounts of a wholly Welsh Government-owned company, warning of a lack of evidence to support financial claims.

Adrian Crompton took the extraordinary step of stating he could not form an audit opinion on Industry Wales, the trading name of Sector Development Wales Partnership Ltd (SDWP).

Industry Wales, which aims to provide expert advice and support to grow “Wales plc”, has received about £9.7m from the public purse in the past decade, according to accounts.

Mr Crompton said: “This is a highly unusual position whereby I am stating that I am unable to provide either a ‘true and fair’ or ‘regularity’ opinion on the accounts as I have been unable to obtain sufficient, appropriate evidence over material assets.”

In a letter to the Senedd public accounts committee, he wrote: “Unfortunately, this inability to obtain sufficient, appropriate evidence applied to multiple connected parts of the accounts.”

The auditor general concluded: “The impact is so significant and pervasive in the context of SDWP’s accounts that I am unable to give an opinion at all.”

Industry Wales – a relatively small umbrella organisation for forums in key sectors such as aerospace, net zero and the automotive industry – has an annual budget of about £1m.

In a disclaimer on the 2024 accounts, Mr Crompton pointed out that the company failed to follow the Welsh Government’s own procurement law in awarding a contract in 2021/22.

The company, which was set up by ministers in Cardiff Bay in 2013, has spent more than £1m on an automated decorating, cutting and packing line which is not yet operational.

The firm entered into a contract with Llanelli-based manufacturer EBS Automation which scored second on price in the non-compliant procurement process.

Mr Crompton said Industry Wales claims to have assets valued at more than £1m but the bulk comes from the packing line, with indications it may have significantly impaired value.

Declaring £829,000 of the spending to be “irregular”, the auditor general also warned of a lack of robust record keeping and accounting controls for another £217,967 of assets.

The audit, which had an initial deadline of December 31, was delayed until late February due to “significant deficiencies” in obtaining the required evidence.

But Mr Crompton, an ex-senior civil servant in the Senedd, remained unable to complete the work he was appointed to undertake on the 2024 accounts which showed a £35,000 loss.

The arm’s-length body is chaired by Professor Keith Ridgway and run by chief executive Dr Jenifer Baxter, who are experts in manufacturing and sustainability respectively.

Directors’ remuneration has totalled £245,000 over the past two financial years and the Bridgend-based company employs three to four people, according to accounts.

Mark Isherwood, the Tory chairman of the public accounts committee, said: “It is a matter of concern that the auditor general has ‘disclaimed’ his audit opinions on these accounts.”

The north Walian added: “This is a highly unusual position and there are questions that need to be asked as to why this has occurred. The public accounts and public administration committee will be discussing this matter on Thursday.”

Industry Wales and the Welsh Government were invited to comment.

PLANS to site a takeaway food kiosk at a former lifeboat store in Tenby’s seaside harbour have been refused despite an officer recommendation for approval.

In an application before Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s March development management committee, Ruby Goodrick sought permission from Pembrokeshire Coast National Park planners to turn the old RNLI lifeboat store, Penniless Cove, Tenby Harbour, into a takeaway cold food outlet, open 10am-10pm seven days a week.

A supporting statement accompanying the application said she has a five-year lease from Pembrokeshire County Council to use the site; an accompany flood risk assessment saying the beach-side site is not at risk of tidal flooding is considered low risk.

The application came before committee members rather than an officer decision as Tenby Town Council has objected, and was recommended for approval despite being a departure from the adopted development plan.

An officer report, recommending approval, said: “Whilst it is acknowledged that the proposed used would introduce a retail element to this area of the harbour, on balance, officers consider that no significant harm would be caused to the character of Tenby Harbour as a result of this development since the use proposed occupies a relatively small floor area, and would not be a destination in and of itself, rather, it would rely on the existing footfall within the harbour.”

Speaking at the meeting, Alistair Mckay, on behalf of Tenby Sailing Club, said granting the scheme would lead to a potential conflict with other harbour users.

Applicant Ruby Goodrick told members the plan was to turn the empty building with “small and thoughtful touches” and was “more than happy” to adjust the hours of opening of the business, building on the success of her mother’s former sandwich shop in the town called Truly Scrumptious.

Ruby said the proposed takeaway, called Truly@The Harbour would “contribute positively to the local economy”.

However, concerns were raised by committee members, issues including congestion in the area and waste.

Refusal, against officer recommendations, was moved by Cllr Simon Hancock, who said: “It’s a commendable enterprise but I just feel this is the wrong location, it’s almost an alien feature in what is a working harbour,” adding: “With regret I’m going to move we refuse this application.”

He was joined by Tenby councillor Cllr Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, who said she was “all for new businesses in the town, especially for young people,” but worried about a potential precedent being set by approval.

Members voted by 12 in favour to three against refusal.

A related application for a display board to the front of the property advertising the takeaway, also recommended for approval, was deferred for a delegated decision to be made.

The scheme has previously come under fire from Tenby Civic Society and Tenby North county councillor Michael Williams.

Cllr Williams wrote to the park authority saying: “To allow this development would do considerable damage to the historical environment of the harbour estate which is a Grade-II-listed building.”

He pointed out that this is the only area of the harbour where commercial fishing activities can be operated, and it is used by a number of commercial fishing vessels to land catches.

“The very nature of this work would be entirely incompatible with this proposal,” Cllr Williams added.

“My other concern is that a precedent might well be created opening up this priceless historical area to unacceptable and unsuitable commercial exploitation.”

MILFORD HAVEN’S popular pub and restaurant, The Vibe, is reopening under new management on Monday (Mar 10), bringing a fresh start to Charles Street’s hospitality scene.

The new team behind The Vibe has worked around the clock to transform the venue in just six days, ensuring it is ready to welcome customers once again. The revamped pub and restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with extended opening hours throughout the week.

The new owner, who has taken on the venture as their first business, expressed gratitude to Sharon Matthews, chef at The Bull Inn in Haverfordwest, and owners Randy and Lori Bennett, whose support made the reopening possible.

Speaking ahead of the launch, they said: “We have had some of the best lads working day and night—there’s been sweat, tears, laughter, and even a few arguments! But we pulled it off and can’t wait to welcome everyone back.”

They also paid tribute to former owner Kerryanne, promising to maintain the pub’s name and spirit: “One thing I promised Kerryanne was to keep the name, and that will remain. We just want to give it back the love she had for the place.”

The Vibe’s new opening hours are:

• Monday to Friday: 9:00am – 11:00pm
• Saturday: 9:00am – 12:30am
• Sunday: 10:00am – 11:00pm
• Breakfast: 9:00am – 11:00am
• Lunch: 12:00pm – 4:00pm
• Dinner: 5:00pm – 9:00pm

With a new menu featuring fresh, homemade dishes—including a highly praised lasagne—The Vibe’s new owners are confident customers won’t be disappointed.

They added: “You won’t need a bank loan to be wined and dined here—we’re offering great food at affordable prices.”

The doors officially open at 9:00am on Monday (Mar 10) for breakfast, marking the beginning of a new chapter for The Vibe and Milford Haven’s dining scene.