Cronky Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 Guernsey Press: WAO delivers devastating report on States A DEVASTATING verdict was today delivered on the States. An independent report by the Wales Audit Office has revealed significant weaknesses in the way it operates. ‘The weaknesses are the product both of inherent, fundamental structural deficiencies in the way Guernsey is governed and individuals being unwilling to accept the discipline needed to make things work,’ said auditor general for Wales Jeremy Colman (pictured) in the report. It concluded that the States: Does not have a clear strategic direction or agreement on its strategic objectives and desired outcomes Lacks the structure for clear corporate leadership Has unclear and protracted decision making processes, with decisions not always being underpinned by good quality information Does not have effective systems of accountability and scrutiny in place Lacks appropriate mechanisms to address concerns regarding the conduct of States’ deputies and staff How would the Isle of Man rate on these points? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triskelion Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 I think I am one of the less cynical members of this forum, but in all honesty I would rate them "bad" on every count. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Declan Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 Good God! If Triskelion thinks it's bad it must be bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P.K. Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 The "Wales Audit Office" delivers a "DEVASTATING" report on an independent jurisdiction - The Channel Isles. So wtf has The Isles operation got to do with a less than independent audit office like the "well-balanced" (chip on each shoulder) Welsh Audit Office? Did you answer "None at all?" Well done, that's the right answer. More overpaid "civil" servants with not enough to do to justify their inflated remuneration methinks... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Tatlock Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 I did a similar exercise, and estimate we also have 24 weaknesses in government. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moghrey Mie Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 Guernsey Press: WAO delivers devastating report on States A DEVASTATING verdict was today delivered on the States. An independent report by the Wales Audit Office has revealed significant weaknesses in the way it operates. ‘The weaknesses are the product both of inherent, fundamental structural deficiencies in the way Guernsey is governed and individuals being unwilling to accept the discipline needed to make things work,’ said auditor general for Wales Jeremy Colman (pictured) in the report. It concluded that the States: Does not have a clear strategic direction or agreement on its strategic objectives and desired outcomes Lacks the structure for clear corporate leadership Has unclear and protracted decision making processes, with decisions not always being underpinned by good quality information Does not have effective systems of accountability and scrutiny in place Lacks appropriate mechanisms to address concerns regarding the conduct of States’ deputies and staff How would the Isle of Man rate on these points? I understand that Guernsey is a bit more feudal than the IOM and we've got the glossy policy brochures to prove it. In recent years there have been some bad external reports on the IOM Education Department and Probation Service. It would be interesting to have an overall review of government. Maybe we would find out why they find it so difficult to make decisions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Voice of Reason Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 The "Wales Audit Office" delivers a "DEVASTATING" report on an independent jurisdiction - The Channel Isles. So wtf has The Isles operation got to do with a less than independent audit office like the "well-balanced" (chip on each shoulder) Welsh Audit Office? Did you answer "None at all?" Well done, that's the right answer. More overpaid "civil" servants with not enough to do to justify their inflated remuneration methinks... I don't understand either - would the Scottish Audit Office (if there is such a thing) deliver a report on the IOM? If so, devastating our not we should tell them to get stuffed, set up our own Audit Office and deliver a devastating report on whoever we feel like it (perhaps Jersey?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gladys Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 Is it a report which has been commissioned by the Guernsey administration? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moghrey Mie Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 Is it a report which has been commissioned by the Guernsey administration? Yes, by their Public Accounts Committee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Voice of Reason Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 Is it a report which has been commissioned by the Guernsey administration? Yes, by their Public Accounts Committee. Oh right, the impression I was given by PK was that the report was unsolicited (please disregard previous post). But why would you ask the Welsh their opinion on anything? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gladys Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 Possibly put to tender exercise and the Welsh Audit Office came back with the right quote. I think very many of the UK peripheral functions have been offering their services more widely as a means to broadening their experience and their sources of funding. Wasn't the National Audit Office reconstituted as something separate to the main government structure which would mean that they probably have funding issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terse Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 Yes.... but they're Welsh!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Wright Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 I am no government apologist as you all know, but my suspicion is that if we got in the WAO on the same brief we would come out very well We have a five year plan and we folow it, we have committees which examine public expenditure and policy We have a cabinet which does sort of function collectively I'm not saying we are good because it is comparative, but that says a lot about Guernsey in my view What none of the Crown Dependencies have is policy choice for the electorate at election time, at the end of the day that must be the first benchmark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P.K. Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 Is it a report which has been commissioned by the Guernsey administration? Yes, by their Public Accounts Committee. Well I'm surprised, I didn't know that or even guess at it. Not that the WAO "won" the business (we pay for them anyway so surprise surprise not their quote was the lowest) but more that if I wanted an external audit done public servants would be my last choice. Because it's public servants hiring public servants and if they have enough staff and time to do external work then there's far too many of them. In any event when are amateurs going to actually grasp the simple fact that cheap doesn't actually automatically equate to value for money? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cronky Posted September 5, 2009 Author Share Posted September 5, 2009 John, You wrote: my suspicion is that if we got in the WAO on the same brief we would come out very well Yet the Guernsey report stated: Does not have effective systems of accountability and scrutiny in place As we do not have a Freedom of Information Act would a similar conclusion be made about the IOM? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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