The just-concluded Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Workshop in Anguilla has been hailed as having been a well-attended and successful event by the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Assembly and Chairperson of that accounting body, Ms. Palmavon Webster.
She was grateful that the workshop, sponsored by the Governor’s Office and the Anguilla Government, had provided a comprehensive introduction to the role of the PAC to the large gathering. She listed the representatives in attendance as having included: Permanent Secretaries, Department Heads, Chef Executives and Members of Statutory Boards; Civil Society; the Media and young people. She said the workshop helped to promote an understanding of the relationship between PAC and relevant partners on their role and remit regarding the functioning of PAC. According to her, one of the objectives was “to create a framework for the implementation of international good practice – and oversight of the Executive in relation to public accounts in the Anguilla context.”
Ms Webster continued: “Mr. Speaker, the turnout was excellent and far exceeded our expectations…The session with the Chief Auditor of Anguilla, via video link, was also a highlight. It pointed to the kind of resources we have in technology and how we can use this in the context of the Public Accounts Committee’s and generally. The Committee’s interaction with civil society was another highlight. The discussion led, by the Chair of the Constitutional Committee [Mr. Don Mitchell], on proposals for the Public Accounts Committee in the new Constitution, was yet another highlight…The opportunity to network was another highlight. We had the opportunity to share not only with the UK Parliament, but also with the Wales Assembly and the BVI Assembly.
“Coming out of the workshop, the Committee would like to reaffirm its commitment to all its stakeholders not to turn the work of the PAC into a political witch-hunt. We have seen that in the past. We are going to continue to engage constructively with all our stakeholders; and are going to continue to be informed by international good practice. Moving forward, Mr. Speaker, the Committee will lay on the table its work plan 2016 during the regular May meeting of this House.”
The Speaker, Mr. Leroy Rogers, used the opportunity to repeat his thanks to the Clerk of the House of Assembly, Mr Lenox Proctor, “for his work in preparation for the conference”.
