Pembrokeshire is better prepared than most other Welsh local authorities to deal with the recession, it was claimed on Monday.

Pembrokeshire County Council leader, John Davies, told the corporate governance committee that the authority's finances were in 'safe hands'.

Approving the council's draft statement of accounts, Clr. Davies said: "As residents, we can be grateful that we live in a county where the prudence and financial discipline of our local authority provides us with an end-of-year position that not only balances the books, but provides us with the confidence that the county finances are in safe hands.

"As we enter difficult financial times with huge financial cuts looming over the public sector, we can in Pembrokeshire take comfort in the knowledge that Pembrokeshire will be better prepared than many authorities in Wales to deal with the financial challenges that lie ahead."

Clr. Davies went on to thank the officers of the county council for their efficiency in providing the accounts in such a prompt and professional way.

The council's audited accounts showed it set the lowest council tax in Wales and spent within its budget.