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STATES OF JERSEY
GOVERNMENT SUPPORT TO BUSINESS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC - CO-FUNDED PAYROLL SCHEME (R.177/2021): EXECUTIVE RESPONSE WITH COMMENTS OF THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE
Presented to the States on 21st January 2022 by the Public Accounts Committee
STATES GREFFE
2021 R.177 Res.
2
REPORT
In accordance with paragraphs 63–66 of the Code of Practice for Engagement between Scrutiny Panels and the Public Accounts Committee' and the Executive', the Public Accounts Committee presents the Executive Response to the Comptroller and Auditor General's ("C&AG") Report on the Government support to businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic - Co-Funded Pay roll Scheme' (R.177/2021, presented to the States on 24th November 2021).
Comments of the Public Accounts Committee
The PAC welcomes the response to the C&AG's report from the Chief Executive and Director General of the Treasury and Exchequer. In particular, the Committee is pleased to see that the response includes a timeline for delivery of each recommendation and an indication of the Responsible Officer taking the matter forward.
The PAC notes that all of the recommendations have been accepted in their entirety and will be integrated into the Executive's work programme and Recommendations Tracker. The PAC will monitor the progress of the delivery of the recommendations through its review of the Response to Covid-19.
R.177/2021 Res.
The Chief Executive and Director General of Treasury and Exchequer's response to Comptroller and Auditor General's (Covid-19) Review: Government Support to Businesses – Co-Funded Payroll Scheme
January 2022
Glossary of Terms
C&AG – Comptroller and Auditor General CFPS – Co Funded Payroll Scheme
Chief Executive and Treasurer's Response to C&AG (Covid-19) Review: Government Support to Businesses – Co-Funded Payroll Scheme - Executive Response to PAC by 4th January 2022 please.
Summary of response:
We welcome this review of the Co-funded Payroll Scheme by the Comptroller & Auditor General.
The Recommendations comprise a mix of planned or in-train actions.
The Recommendations are accepted in their entirety and will be integrated to our work programme and separate Recommendations Tracker. Action Plan
Recommendations | Action | Target date | Responsible Officer |
R1 Introduce enhanced controls to ensure that public announcements provide clarity as to the status of the announcement and related Ministerial Decisions. | Accepted - it is agreed that decisions should be communicated with sufficient assurance. The alignment of Ministerial Decisions and associated formal communication will be undertaken where appropriate in the relevant circumstances. (While also incorporating the importance of speedily communicating during a pandemic (and other urgent situations). | 31 January 2022 | Head of Ministerial Support Unit, OCE In consultation with the Director of Communications. |
R2 Introduce a clear and transparent process to provide and consider feedback on scheme proposals that are announced in draft' in advance of final decisions being taken. Ensure that the announcement is clear in such instances that the scheme is draft' and is open for consultation comments. | Accepted – a process for logging feedback in relation to economic support schemes and any responses agreed by ministers will be implemented. Economic support schemes are often kept under constant review and will be adapted dynamically to respond to any new information that is made available. Accordingly, there is not necessarily a period where the Scheme is draft' followed by a period where it is final'. Feedback from businesses, workers and other Islanders is welcomed at all times and opportunities will be taken to improve the relevant scheme at any point if | 30 June 2022 | For CFPS, Head of Investment Appraisal, T&E For other Economic Support Schemes - Group Director, Economy and Head of Local Economy |
| ministers judge that changes will improve its ability to meet its objectives. To ensure Islanders are aware that changes will be made in response to new information, future announcements will signal that the relevant schemes are being kept under constant review and provide an email address that can be used for the provision of feedback. | 31 January 2022 | Head of Communications, Department for the Economy |
R3 Enhance the documentation supporting Ministerial Decisions to include clear forecasts of expenditure against previous funding allocations. | T&E processes regarding Ministerial Decisions now include the requirement to clearly indicate forecast cost and the amounts remaining on existing allocations. | Completed | Head of Financial Governance, T&E |
R4 Prioritise the completion of the reconciliation of CFPS claims made to other records held in respect of the employers making the claims. These reconciliations should be carried out as soon as possible. | The reconciliation of CFPS claims against Employer Contributions Schedules is currently underway and will be completed by the end of Q1 2022 for Phases 1-6. | 31 March 2022 | Senior Manager Pensions and Care, CLS |
R5 Prioritise the completion of post payment audit testing of claims and ensure that final audit reports are issued promptly relative to the month of the claims tested. | A variety of post payment audit testing is currently underway and will be completed by the end of Q1 2022 for Phases 1-6. | 31 March 2022 | Senior Manager Pensions and Care, CLS |
R6 Reduce the time lag in publishing data on payments made and jobs supported under the CFPS. | Phase 6 of the scheme closed at 5pm on 30.11.2021 – it is anticipated we'll be able to publish the final business claim information – covering phases 1-6 by the end of Q1 2022. | 31 March 2022 | Senior Manager Pensions and Care, CLS |
Recommendations not accepted
Recommendation Reason for rejection