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States Works rapped in independent audit

Long breaks, excessive mileage and poor care of vehicles were all issues highlighted in an independent review of the States Works Department.

Stephen Taylor, a former director at the UK Audit Commission, said control of States Works activities were so weak as to be "unacceptable", and set out 57 recommendations for improvement.

SWD management was accused of failing to deploy labour and control overheads efficiently or to properly challenge poor working practices that had evolved over time.

The report identified at least £113,000 of savings that could be made if new checks and controls were implemented.

The review, commissioned by Chief Executive Roy Burke, cost some £35,000. He said the savings represented "the tip of the iceberg" of what could be retained in future. "The report will make uncomfortable reading for many of us, but we cannot ignore what has been said," he commented. "We want to install a culture that sees staff react with a greater sense of urgency and that recognises public money is being spent."

Estates and Services chairman Louis Jean said findings of the audit cleared the way for better pride in the SWD over coming years. "These findings have been a talking point in the community for years and years," he said. "Now they are confirmed, we can deal with them. The changes in the department are going to give back to employees the sense of pride in the organisation that they haven't had for a long time."

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