Pembrokeshire County Council has become one of just two local authorities in Wales to have its accounts for 2015-2016 signed off ahead of schedule.

The council has been working closely with the Wales Audit Office on a pilot scheme to produce its previous year’s financial statements by the end of July - two months before the usual deadline.

By 2020, all Welsh local authorities will have to meet a statutory deadline of July 31 for their accounts to be finalised.

Wales Audit Office director, Richard Harries, said: “The council has done very well to bring forward the production of the financial statements this year.

“It is a considerable achievement given the work required to produce the accounts.

“This was achieved through early and continued engagement between the officers and the audit team.

“Going forward, we will continue to work with the council to learn the lessons from this year, to further improve the arrangements both locally, and to inform the wider roll-out of the early closure pilots.”