Watchdog calls out "weaknesses" in governance and accountability

Friday 30 December 2022

Various official bodies and office-holders in Jersey need to do better in terms governance and accountability according to the latest watchdog report.

Comptroller and Auditor General Lynn Pamment has issued a new paper considering the status of 16 independent entities, including her own office, which looks at how they could be strengthened to provide a better service for islanders.

Ms Pamment’s so-called ‘thinkpiece’ covers positions such as the Children’s Commissioner, the Director of Civil Aviation and the Official Analyst, as well as bodies including the Jersey Care Commission, the Gambling Commission and the Police Complaints Authority.

Pictured: The Children's Commissioner for Jersey, The Financial Services Commission and the Jersey Care Commission were among the Independent positions considered in the 'Thinkpiece'.

Ms Pamment expressed her belief that there were opportunities to strengthen the independence of the bodies and office-holders and enhance accountability.

She said: "Current arrangements for the governance and accountability of independent bodies and office-holders are fragmented. In some instances there are identifiable weaknesses in arrangements that compromise the governance and accountability of independent bodies and office-holders."

Among the areas identified as being subject to different arrangements were the legal framework surrounding each entity, their terms of office and requirements for audits and annual reporting. Appointing the chairs of 13 of the entities was the responsibility of a government minister, with the remaining three appointments made by the States Assembly. Ms Pamment said that ministerial appointments should involve a two-week notice period for the Assembly unless there was a compelling reason not to do this.

Pictured: Ms Pamment's 'thinkpiece' said that ministerial appointments should involve a two-week notice period for the Assembly.

Her paper also found that four of the 16 bodies and office-holders did not have an unequivocal statement of independence and/or freedom from direction. They were the Director of Civil Aviation, the Independent Prison Monitoring Board, the Police Authority and the Police Complaints Authority.

The C&AG said such a statement would be "a valuable expression of intent" in each case.

In her conclusion, Ms Pamment said: "I strongly encourage the States of Jersey to take forward the areas for consideration that I have outlined, in order to provide greater assurance as to the protection of the independence of the bodies and office-holders reviewed."