Comptroller and Auditor General: Appointment

Information about the publication of Ministerial Decisions

A formal published “Ministerial Decision” is required as a record of the decision of a Minister (or an Assistant Minister where they have delegated authority) as they exercise their responsibilities and powers.

Ministers are elected by the States Assembly and have legal responsibilities and powers as “corporation sole” under the States of Jersey Law 2005 by virtue of their office and in their areas of responsibility, including entering into agreements, and under any legislation conferring on them powers.

An accurate record of “Ministerial Decisions” is vital to effective governance, including:

demonstrating that good governance, and clear lines of accountability and authority, are in place around decisions-making – including the reasons and basis on which a decision is made, and the action required to implement a decision
providing a record of decisions and actions that will be available for examination by States Members, and Panels and Committees of the States Assembly; the public, organisations, and the media; and as a historical record and point of reference for the conduct of public affairs

Ministers are individually accountable to the States Assembly, including for the actions of the departments and agencies which discharge their responsibilities.

The Freedom of Information Law (Jersey) Law 2011 is used as a guide when determining what information is be published. While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.

A decision made on 24 December 2012:

Decision Reference: MD-C-2012-0130
Decision Summary Title :	Appointment of the Comptroller and Auditor General		Date of Decision Summary:	21st December 2012
Decision Summary Author:	Project and 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 :	Appointment of the Comptroller and Auditor General		Date of Written Report:	17th December 2012
Written Report Author:	Assistant Director - Human Resources		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: Appointment of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Decision(s): The Chief Minister approved a draft Report and Proposition recommending the appointment of Ms Karen McConnell as Comptroller and Auditor General for a period until 31 December 2014.
Reason(s) for Decision: In accordance with the provision of Article 41(1) of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2005, appointment of the Comptroller and Auditor General is made by the States on a proposition signed by the Chief Minister and the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee. The post of Comptroller and Auditor General fell vacant on 29th June 2012 following the resignation of the previous post holder. Ms Karen McConnell was assessed as suitable for the role following the interviewing of a number of candidates. The choice of candidate is fully supported by the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee.
Resource Implications: This proposal does not have any additional resource implications. The office of the Comptroller and Auditor General is already established and includes provision for a small Jersey based team and a budget is already in place for the costs associated with the running of the office.
Action required: Project & Research Officer to arrange for the Report and Proposition to be lodged ‘au Greffe’ for consideration by the States at the earliest possible date.
Signature:		Position: Senator I J Gorst, Chief Minister
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Comptroller and Auditor General: Appointment

PROPOSITION

THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion 

to appoint, in accordance with the provisions of Article 41(1) of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2005, Ms Karen McConnell as Comptroller and Auditor General with effect from 1 February 2013 to 31 December 2014

CHIEF MINISTER

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

41 Appointment of the Comptroller and Auditor General

(1) The office of 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

The post of Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) fell vacant in July 2012.

The appointments panel consisted of Senator Ian Gorst, Chief Minister, Deputy Tracey Vallois, Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, Mr John Richardson, Chief Executive, Mr Brian Curtis, Chairman of the Jersey Appointments Commission, Mr Julian Rogers, Appointments Commissioner, Mr Mark Sinclair, Director of Human Resources. Independent external professional advice to the panel was provided by Dr Robert Black, CBE, retired Auditor General, Scotland.

A recruitment consultant was retained to undertake a search on behalf of the States of Jersey. Advertisements were placed in the Jersey Evening Post on two occasions, the Sunday Times on one occasion, and the post was widely advertised on both the States of Jersey’s website and the recruitment consultant’s website. Four candidates were invited for interview and interviews took place in Jersey on 30 November 2012 and on 13 December 2012. The same panel interviewed all candidates against the same question areas.

Ms Karen Janet McConnell was assessed as a suitable candidate for the role.

Ms Karen 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 from Newcastle University. After a period with the NHS as a trainee Accountant, Karen joined the Audit Commission in 1985 and remained in their employment until 30 November 2012 when the Audit Practice was closed. Over her 28 year career with the Audit Commission she has held the positions of District Auditor, Head of Audit, Director of Professional Practice, Regional Director and Senior Director. Her most recent appointment has been as Senior Director and Acting Managing Director, Audit Practice.

Financial and manpower implications

This proposal does not have any additional resource implications. The office of the CAG is already established and includes provision for a small Jersey based team and a budget is already in place for the costs associated with the running of the office.

The budget for the CAG, as published in the Medium Term Financial Plan is

£751,400 for 2013

£768,700 for 2014

Recommendation

The Chief Minister requests that the States approves his recommendation to appoint Ms Karen McConnell as Comptroller and Auditor General for a period until 31 December 2014. This request is fully supported by the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee

		Page - 1