States urged to improve 'lines of accountability'

Mark de Garis said he commissioned the due to concerns about "systemic failings" in how the States manages its capital projects

An independent report has highlighted issues with "lines of accountability" and the culture within the States of Guernsey.

It was commissioned after it was revealed officials knew of a potential overspend on Guernsey's hospital extension project, months before informing politicians.

The author, Martin Thornton KC, judged current States processes for managing big building projects like this one were "appropriate".

But he suggested improvements including a new manual for all States projects, a standardisation of government contracts and better management structures.

Mr Thornton highlighted going forward "lines of accountability have to be made clear, fully understood and consistently applied across all decision making of the States".

He went on to suggest the failure to disclose the details of this potential overspend "indicates that in relation to capital projects generally there needs to be a cultural change in thinking and decision making".

Consultants are currently looking at how the project to extend the hospital can be brought back within its £120m budget

President of Policy and Resources Lyndon Trott welcomed the report: "I've been left reassured. This is enabling me to sleep well at night.

"The overwhelming takeaway is that our processes and procedures are 99.9% of the time fit for purpose, but occasionally there are a set of behaviours which are completely inexplicable."

The blame for the lack of disclosure surrounding this project has been laid at the feet of three members of staff, who Deputy Trott said "are no longer in the employ of the taxpayer".

Deputy Lyndon Trott said during this saga there had been "some misjudgements by public sector workers"

This report was commissioned by the Head of the Public Service Mark de Garis on 26 February 2024.

Mr de Garis said he commissioned this report because he was "concerned" about "systemic failings" in how the States manages capital projects.

Following its publication he said: "There was an error in judgement by some individuals, there was no bad faith and no deliberate attempts to mislead people.

"It showed our governance processes and procedures were to a large extent validated and we have some very helpful recommendations as to how they can be strengthened in the future."

The author Mr Thornton declined to be interviewed.