CONSULTATION PAPER

Press Release for the Comptroller & Auditor General’s issues consultation paper for 2007
September 2006

* UNDER STRICT EMBARGO UNTIL 0001 ON

THURSDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2006 *

COMPTROLLER & AUDITOR GENERAL

ISSUES CONSULTATION PAPER ON 2007 PROGRAMME

The Comptroller & Auditor General (C&AG), Chris Swinson, has today issued for public consultation a proposed Programme for 2007, seeking the views of interested parties on the main priorities which should guide the Office’s work, and as a demonstration of the C&AG’s commitment to open and transparent government.

In the Consultation Paper the C&AG identifies the challenges that public services in Island currently face, and says that political, economic and social pressures will drive change.

As well as focussing on value for money, organisational accountability and importance of service performance, Mr Swinson says that there needs to be broader understanding between both the general public and public bodies, of what is expected in terms of services to the public, and that change needs to be approached in an innovative and joined up way, particularly in the light of a likely drop in public expenditure.

In the Consultation Paper, Mr Swinson takes the opportunity to clearly establish the role of his office, and lists the key principles that will guide his work: Independence, Balance, Equality and Diversity, Engagement, Openness, Consultation and ‘Sauce for the Gander’ - the last meaning that the Office will apply the same principles to its own operation, as it expects of other public bodies.

To date this year, reviews have been or are being undertaken of the Jersey Child Care Trust, the Jersey Financial Services Commission, Reporting of Sickness Absence Levels by the States and the 2006 Battle of Flowers.

The five strategic objectives proposed by the C&AG, which have specific activities allocated to them, and upon which he invites feedback, are:

1. To raise standards of financial management and financial reporting within the States sector – including an audit of the States financial statements and a review of financial management within the States.

2. To challenge all public bodies to deliver better value for money – including reviews of any major asset disposals by the States and a review of the new arrangements introduced during 2006 for public access to information about the services provided by the States.

3. To encourage continual improvement in public services so that they meet the changing needs of diverse communities and provide fair access for all – including a review of benefit fraud management arrangements.

4. To promote high standards of governance and accountability – including reviews of at least two States departments. These will be intended to cover a department’s capability and fitness in terms of setting policy and delivering performance.

5. To stimulate significant improvement in the quality of data and the use of information by decision makers – including a review of performance management practices within at least one department.