This content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost. Let us know if you find any major problems.
Text in this format is not official and should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments. Please see the PDF for the official version of the document.
STATES OF JERSEY
COMPTROLLER AND AUDITOR GENERAL BOARD OF GOVERNANCE: APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS
Lodged au Greffe on 8th August 2016 by the Chief Minister
STATES GREFFE
2016 P.80
PROPOSITION
THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion
in accordance with Article 3 of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Board of Governance) (Jersey) Order 2015, to appoint –
- Mr. Peter Price as Chairman
- Professor Russell Griggs , O.B.E. as a member
of the Board of Governance of the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General, both for a period of 4 years, with immediate effect.
CHIEF MINISTER
REPORT
The Comptroller and Auditor General (Jersey) Law 2014 establishes the role of Comptroller and Auditor General to provide independent assurance that the public finances of Jersey are regulated, controlled, supervised and accounted for in accordance with the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2005 and other relevant legislation.
To scrutinise the use of resources by the Comptroller and Auditor General and the governance arrangements, and to report to the Chief Minister and the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee any concerns in this regard, a Board of Governance of the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (the "Board") was established by the Comptroller and Auditor General (Board of Governance) (Jersey) Order 2015. The Order was made under Article 15 of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Jersey) Law 2014, having consulted with the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee.
These structures are important for our public finances – independent assurance from the Comptroller and Auditor General, independent oversight of the resources used, and the governance of the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General by the Board.
The search for the inaugural Chairman and members of the Board was focused on securing independent, expert, experienced candidates, and included approaching other jurisdictions. This overall process was undertaken in accordance with Article 24 – Guidelines for recruitment of States' appointees – of the Employment of States of Jersey Employees (Jersey) Law 2005, and under the supervision of the Jersey Appointments Commission.
The interviews were conducted by a senior Panel comprising the Chief Executive of the States of Jersey, Director of Human Resources, Chairman of the Jersey Appointments Commission, and an independent Panel member, Mr. Robert Black, former Auditor General for Scotland. Following the interviews, the Panel are recommending the appointment of Mr. Peter Price as Chairman, and Professor Russell Griggs O.B.E., as a member. The Board must comprise 2 or 3 members to be appointed by the States, one of whom shall also be appointed as the Chairman. The option for a third member was left vacant until such time as the Board has become established, and it, in conjunction with the Comptroller and Auditor General, has been able to assess the need for a third member, and whether that person should be a local or off-Island appointee.
The Assembly are asked to agree that Mr. Peter Price be appointed as Chairman, and Professor Russell Griggs , O.B.E. be appointed as a member, with immediate effect, both for a term of 4 years, in accordance with the Comptroller and Auditor General (Board of Governance) (Jersey) Order 2015.
The Island is fortunate to have candidates of this strength and experience, with a focus on value for money, who have worked in roles across the private, public and charitable sectors, at national level, and in the devolved administrations.
Financial and manpower implications
The Chairman will be paid £2,000 per annum, and the other members are unpaid. In addition, and where necessary, reasonable expenses for travel and accommodation will be paid, with an estimated budget of £3,500 per annum for these costs. It is anticipated that the time commitment will be up to 4 days per year for the Chairman and 2 days for the other members. These costs will be met within the existing budgets.
Page - 3
P.80/2016
APPENDIX
Chairman: Mr. Peter Price
Mr. Peter Price undertook a law degree at the University of Southampton and professional training at the College of Law, Guildford, and was admitted as a Solicitor. He also holds a Post-graduate Diploma in EU Law at King's College, London, awarded in 1999.
Mr. Price has had an extensive career in law, politics, and wider public service, holding a range of positions, which makes him an excellent candidate for the position of Chairman. Following a period of private practise as a solicitor, during that time having served as President of the local Law Society, Mr. Price became a Conservative Member of the European Parliament from 1979 until 1994.
He has also undertaken other public and political roles at a national and regional level, including membership of the Liberal Democrats Policy Committee, and the Commission on the Powers and Electoral Arrangements of the National Assembly for Wales. He is a non-executive Board Member of the Welsh Audit Office and Chairman of the Remuneration Committee; was a non-executive Director of Welsh Ambulance Services with the NHS Trust; a Governor of Thames Valley University, including membership of its Audit Committee; and has lectured at the national Civil Service College and other educational establishments.
Board member: Professor Russell Griggs , O.B.E.
Professor Russell Griggs , O.B.E. undertook a degree in Commerce at Heriot Watt University, and has since enjoyed an extensive career in business and public life, being awarded an O.B.E. for Services to Scott ish Business in the 2008 Birthday Honours List. He is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts, and is an Honorary Professor of Crichton Campus in Dumfries.
Professor Griggs is an experienced marketing professional, having worked as a Director at Scott ish Enterprise for 10 years, and having held a wide range of executive and non- executive directorial roles in private, public, and charitable institutions. These have included private companies in the retail, publishing and technology sectors; and institutions such as the Lending Standards Board, Scott ish Mines Restoration Trust, Scott ish Government's Regulatory Review Group, Scott ish Government's National Economic Forum, C.B.I. U.K. – U.K. S.M.R. National Council, C.B.I. Scotland, Marie Curie Cancer Trust, and the Audit Committee of the Department of Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland.