Meeting of the Parliament

Meeting date: Thursday, March 29, 2012

Official Report 1082KB pdf

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Auditor General for Scotland

The next item of business is consideration of motion S4M-02533, in the name of Iain Gray, on the appointment of the Auditor General for Scotland. Members who want to take part in this very short debate should press their request-to-speak buttons now. I call Iain Gray to speak to and move the motion on behalf of the selection panel.

16:55

I invite the Parliament to nominate Caroline Gardner to Her Majesty the Queen as the Auditor General for Scotland.

The selection panel was chaired by the Presiding Officer and the other members were Willie Coffey, Murdo Fraser, Jim Hume, Angus MacDonald, Mark McDonald, Drew Smith and me. On behalf of the panel, I thank Janice Crerar, who managed the process for the Parliament, and Louise Rose, the independent assessor who oversaw our work. Louise has provided the Parliament with a validation certificate confirming that the process complied with good practice and that the nomination of the Auditor General is made on merit after a fair, open and transparent process.

We make the appointment because of the retirement of the current Auditor General for Scotland, Robert Black. Bob Black was the inaugural Auditor General for Scotland, appointed on 1 February 2000. Just as Her Majesty the Queen has seen off Prime Ministers, Bob has seen off more audit committee conveners than I care to count, of whom I am merely the latest in what I like to think has been a distinguished line over the years. Bob Black has developed an internationally respected, modern, open, independent and highly effective public audit regime. Under his leadership, Audit Scotland’s reputation has been not just Scottish but international. Indeed, Audit Scotland participates fully in the development of international ethical standards and takes part in the audit of the United Nations. Bob has provided Scotland, not just the Parliament, with exemplary service over the years and I know that the Parliament will join me in wishing him a long and happy retirement. However, I do not wish him too restful a retirement, as I sincerely hope that Scotland will continue to benefit from his experience and wisdom in some way or another.

Caroline Gardner was the unanimous choice of the panel from a very strong field of candidates. She has 25 years of experience in public audit, financial management and governance. She has worked for Audit Scotland, the Accounts Commission for Scotland and the Audit Commission for England and Wales. She recently returned from the Turks and Caicos Islands, where she spent a year as the Government’s chief financial officer in the most challenging of circumstances.

The Auditor General reports to the Scottish Parliament on the financial management and performance of Scottish public services and tells us how well or otherwise our public bodies are performing. The appointment is therefore crucial. The Auditor General is supported by the staff of Audit Scotland and works closely with the Accounts Commission, which secures the audit of local government bodies. The panel believes that Caroline will bring to the post enthusiasm, professionalism, integrity and determination. I am sure that the Parliament wishes her every success for the future in her new role.

It gives me great pleasure without hesitation to recommend Caroline Gardner to the Parliament as the Auditor General for Scotland.

I move,

That the Parliament nominates Caroline Gardner to Her Majesty The Queen for appointment as the Auditor General for Scotland.

Mr Coffey, who was also a member of the selection panel, would like to say a few words.

17:00

I take the opportunity to endorse the comments of the panel’s convener and to welcome the nomination of Caroline Gardner for the post of Auditor General.

When our public finances are under closer scrutiny than ever before, it is vital that our new Auditor General embraces the task of providing an effective and independent scrutiny service to the Parliament. I am certain that Caroline Gardner will fulfil that role very effectively. I am happy to support the nomination.

The question on the motion will be put at decision time.