Comptroller and Auditor General: Re-Appointment

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A decision made 21 May 2014:

Decision Reference: MD-C-2014-0058
Decision Summary Title :	Comptroller and Auditor General: Re-appointment		Date of Decision Summary:	21st May 2014
Decision Summary Author:	Project & Research Officer		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title :	Comptroller and Auditor General: Re-appointment		Date of Written Report:	28th March 2014
Written Report Author:	Senior Human Resources Manager, Chief Minister’s Department		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: Comptroller & Auditor General: Re-appointment of Karen McConnell
Decision(s): The Chief Minister approved the report and proposition recommending Ms Karen McConnell is re-appointed as Comptroller and Auditor General for a further 5-year period with effect from 1st January 2015 until 31st December 2019.
Reason(s) for Decision: Ms Karen McConnell was appointed by the States Assembly as Comptroller and Auditor General with effect from 1st February 2013 and until 31st December 2014. Having satisfactorily performed the duties required of the Comptroller and Auditor General, as stated in Paragraphs 46, 47 and 48 of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2005 the re-appointment of Ms McConnell is being sought. The renewal of Ms McConnell’s contract has been supported by the Chairman of the PAC and the Jersey Appointments Commission. The 5-year extension will ensure the Comptroller and Auditor General appointment is in line with the 7-year term proposed in the new Legislation.
Resource Implications: The proposal does not have any additional resource implications.
Action required: Report and proposition to be forwarded to the Greffier of the States to lodge “au Greffe” for consideration by the States at the earliest possible date.
Signature:		Position: Chief Minister
Date Signed: 21st May 2014		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Comptroller and Auditor General: Re-Appointment

PROPOSITION

THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of the opinion –

to renew the appointment, in accordance with Article 41(1) of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2005, Ms Karen McConnell as Comptroller and Auditor General with effect from 1st January 2015 and until 31st December 2019, on the expiry of her current appointment on 31st December 2014.

Note: In accordance with the requirements of Article 41(1) of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2005, this proposition is brought with the endorsement of Deputy T.A. Valois of St Saviour, the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee and the Appointments Commission.

“41 Appointment of the Comptroller and Auditor General

(1) The Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General shall be held by a person appointed by the States on a proposition signed by the Chief Minister and the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee.”

REPORT

Position

Ms Karen McConnell was appointed by the States as Comptroller and Auditor General with effect from 1st February 2013 and until 31st December 2014.

Ms McConnell has satisfactorily performed the duties required of the Comptroller and Auditor General, as stated in Paragraphs 46, 47 and 48 of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2005.

THE RENEWAL OF Ms McConnell’s contract has been supported by the Chief Minister, Chairman of the PAC and the Jersey Appointments Commission.

Background

Ms Karen McConnell was appointed by the States on the recommendation of the Chief Minister and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee under Proposition 138/2012. The appointment panel followed a comprehensive recruitment procedure and Ms McConnell’s selection was approved by the Jersey Appointments Commission in December 2012.

Ms McConnell has been a full member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) since 1986 and has a BSc (Hons) in Bacteriology. She joined the UK Audit Commission in 1985 and continued this employment until 30th November 2012 when the Audit Practice was closed. Over her 28 year career with the Audit Commission Ms McConnell held the positions of District Auditor, Head of Audit, Director of Professional Practice, Regional Director, Senior Director and Acting Managing Director of Audit Practice.

Financial and Manpower

The proposal does not have any additional resource implications.

Under paragraph 50 of the Public Finance (Jersey) Law 2005, the Chief Minister provides the Comptroller and Auditor General with resources to carry out her functions. Ms McConnell will continue to be provided with a budget that provides for a small Jersey based team.

The budget for the C&AG as published in the Medium Term Financial Plan for 2014 is:

£768,700

Recommendation

The Chief Minister requests the States to approve his recommendation to re-appoint Ms Karen McConnell as Comptroller and Auditor General for a further five year period with effect from 1st January 2015 until 31st December 2019. This request is fully supported by the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee.