THE Welsh Government was made aware of issues relating to the Caldicot and Wentlooge Internal Drainage Board, and others, in early 2011 (20 months ago ).

The Welsh Audit Office apparently investigated the issues, but in my view skimmed the surface and many questions went unanswered.

The English Auditors, sub contractors to Welsh Audit Office who have responsibility for community councils and drainage boards paid lip service to concerns raised, despite assurances from the First Minister (Carwyn Jones) that it would be fully investigated, cross border.

It is quite fascinating that the Minister for the Environment and Assembly Member (John Griffiths)and the Member of Parliament for Newport East (Jessica Morden), in my view, did nothing, in respect of governance and accountability issues raised at constituency meetings.

Fourteen months ago, One Voice Wales a representative body for community councils in Wales openly supported the retention of Caldicot and Wentlooge and other drainage boards in a consultation in respect of the single environment body.

Andrew RT Davies, the Tory leader in the Assembly, states that we need to get value for the Welsh pounds, I think he should have concerns for the environment and the wellbeing of citizens .

The Welsh pound at the moment is being spent on gagging orders, consultants and most of the solicitors' practises in South Wales .

The only ray of hope comes robustly from the Member of Parliament for Newport West Paul Flynn.

He has taken the time to listen and do things, as his early day motion (condemning "abuses" by the board) in the Westminster Parliament indicates, it will be interesting to see who signs it.

I look forward to the direction debate, because at the moment we seem be going in all directions, bar the right one.

– James Harris, Caerwent, (former Monmouthshire Council representative on the drainage board).