Public Finances Law evidence published

The Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel is reviewing the Government of Jersey's planned new Public Finances Law, and has sought views from a wide range of stakeholders. The Panel has now published evidence from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy and the Comptroller and Auditor General.

The Draft Public Finances (Jersey) Law is due to be debated by the States Assembly on 30th April 2019. The new law would replace the way in which the public finances of Jersey are currently regulated, controlled, supervised and administered, including the way in which amounts from public finances are appropriated for particular purposes. 

The Panel has received a response from the Comptroller and Auditor General as to how the proposed Law could facilitate the implementation of her previous recommendations. It has also received a report from its advisor, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA). In addition to any written submissions, the Panel has also taken evidence from the Minister for Treasury and Resources in a public hearing. 

At the end of the review, the Panel will publish its independent report on the draft law.  In addition, the Panel has written to the Minister for Treasury and Resources to advise that it intends to request additional time to bring forward amendments to the draft law. The Panel will be joined in this work by Senator Sarah Ferguson and Deputy Scott Wickenden.

Panel Chair, Senator Kristina Moore, commented:

 “This is an important piece of legislation which underpins the way that Jersey’s public finances are managed. We are aware that a number of States Members are carefully considering the changes set out in the draft law. We hope that publishing this evidence now, together with our letter to the Minister, will be helpful to States members and other interested parties, in advance of the debate on 30th April.”

To find out more about this review, or get involved, visit the review webpage or email scrutiny@gov.je.