Public Accounts Committee
The Public Accounts Committee's role is to receive reports from the Comptroller and Auditor General and to report to the States upon any significant issues arising. It also assesses whether public funds have been applied for the purpose intended.
Following the announcement of Senator Sarah Ferguson's resignation as PAC Chair, Deputy Inna Gardiner was appointed Chair on 20 October 2020. Up to 3 fellow States members will be appointed to the Committee at the next States sitting of 3 November 2020 and the PAC is now undertaking a recruitment process for lay members to join.
The role is best suited to senior professionals, including but not limited to IT, finance, HR, regulatory, legal or the third sector environments. It is essential that applicants can demonstrate working constructively as part of a team, with an analytical approach and strong communication skills. Successful candidates will be passionate about the Island and how public funds are spent. They will want to be part of a team making a difference.
The Committee is seeking to conduct interviews by mid-November. It is anticipated that the successful candidate(s) will be welcomed to their first meeting shortly after appointment. Up to three people who are not currently elected member of the States will be nominated by the Chair, Deputy Inna Gardiner, to serve with the elected members until mid-2022.
To apply please send a CV and covering letter to the Greffier of the States by emailing scrutiny@gov.je or m.egan@gov.je.
Role Profile
The core activity of the PAC differs from that of other Scrutiny Panels. Whereas Scrutiny Panels examine the development of policy and legislation and consider the effectiveness of existing policies and laws, the PAC examines how States’ resources are utilised in the implementation of policy. On that basis, Scrutiny Panels ordinarily direct their enquiries to Ministers, whereas PAC tends to direct its enquiries to Director Generals or other Accountable Officers.
What does the post involve?1. Attendance at scheduled PAC meetings which are usually held every two weeks and last for approximately 3 hours.
2. Attendance at other working meetings or public hearings on an ad hoc basis. Public hearings are evidence gathering or question and answer sessions with witnesses, often attended by the media and public and available for the public to watch live online. Hearings typically last for between one to two hours.
3. Read and offer analysis and opinion on often complex and significant quantities of documentation in preparation and response to meetings and hearings, maintaining utmost confidentiality.
4. Form constructive professional working relationships with the Chair, other members, officers and the C&AG, to carry out the responsibilities of the PAC.
It is essential that applicants can demonstrate working constructively as part of a team, with an analytical approach and strong communication skills.
The States Assembly and PAC Chair have a strong commitment to diversity, removing barriers to enable PAC to comprise a balanced group of people in terms of gender, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, experience and skills. We encourage applications which will achieve that balance.
The next meeting of the Public Accounts Committee is
Monday 2nd November 2020
Quarterly hearing transcripts
