Guernsey Public Accounts Committee Seeks More Powers

by Jason Gorringe, for LawAndTax-News.com, London

08 June 2007

The Guernsey Public Accounts Committee announced this week that it will ask the States authorities for greater powers when investigating the use of taxpayers’ money.

In its Operations and Procedures Report, which will be debated by the States at the end of this month, the PAC asks for:

• The same rights of access given to the States Internal Auditors;
• Recipients of States funding to be bound to financial scrutiny;
• Chief officers to be held accountable for best use of resources and effectiveness

The Committee is seeking a States resolution to give it the authority needed to act effectively in scrutinising the States’ financial affairs, in order to eradicate extravagance and waste.

The PAC argues that this lack of authority was an omission when the Machinery of Government was formulated, and that the Committee’s role is important in demonstrating to international businesses and taxpayers that the government of a jurisdiction is accountable, open and transparent.

Currently the PAC has no legal powers to access records or speak to people involved in the spending of public money, creating an imbalance with other jurisdictions where Public Accounts Committees and Auditors General operate.

The Report went on to reveal that there have been instances when departmental staff within the States have denied requests for reports, documents and access. The PAC is therefore calling for financial scrutiny to be a condition attached to all States funding.

If a States resolution does not lead to greater cooperation, the Committee revealed that it has not ruled out returning to the States to ask for full legal powers.

The PAC concluded by announcing that it still intends to report to the States on whether Guernsey should appoint an Auditor General, fulfilling the States mandate of 2003. This would require legislation to define the powers and responsibilities of the Auditor General.

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