Capital projects report did not go out to tender

Three civil servants did not reveal details of an increase in the possible cost to extend the hospital for almost a year

A contract to review how the States of Guernsey does big building projects did not go out to tender, according to the head of the public service Mark De Garis.

The review by Martin Thornton was published last month and judged current States processes were "appropriate".

It followed news three civil servants knew about a potential £30m increase to the cost of extending Guernsey's hospital for almost a year before telling officials.

Taxpayers paid £5,000 for the review by Mr Thornton.

Mr De Garis said putting the contract out to tender "would only serve to both impede the speed at which the work can be completed and cost taxpayers more".

On the selection of Mr Thornton he said: "I needed someone who had experience of working in the public sector so they understood the relevant context, someone who had significant understanding of both contracts and good governance, and someone of absolute integrity.

"Mr Thornton, who retired from the law officers in 2017 and is now a judge in the Magistrate’s Court, met all criteria."

He added "there is no requirement to put every piece of work out to tender".