Minister for Finance, Local Government and Public Services, Sue Essex, and the leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, Clr. John Davies, last Thursday, concluded an agreement aimed at raising the standard of council services in the county. The Welsh Assembly Government is drawing up agreements with all 22 local authorities in Wales and will provide extra money to vouncils improving their performance and service standards to agreed levels by 2007. Improvements people in Pembrokeshire will see include: • more childcare places for working families • a reduction in fear of crime • more help for older people to live at home • a higher rate of secondary school attendance • greater provision of broadband services across the county • more recycling of household waste. Mrs. Essex, said: "I am very pleased to sign this policy agreement with Pembrokeshire County Council. "The Assembly Government is committed to working in partnership with the county council to meet the needs and priorities of people in Pembrokeshire. Leader of the council, Clr. John Davies, said: "Pembrokeshire County Council welcomes the approach of the Welsh Assembly Government in recognising that the identification of needs and priorities of Pembrokeshire people is best done locally by the council. "We look forward to working closely on these matters with the Assembly Government."
