Scottish Commission for Public Audit, 23 Apr 2008

Meeting date: Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Official Report 103KB pdf

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Budget Process (Finance Committee Review)

Agenda item 2 is consideration of correspondence from Andrew Welsh, the convener of the Finance Committee. He alerts the commission formally to the review of the budget process. If, as a result of the review, any changes are proposed to our relationship or written protocol with the Finance Committee, we will be duly informed and consulted. Any changes will be agreed mutually. I do not see this as particularly controversial, unless somebody knows something that I do not, which is possible.

I sit on the Finance Committee. The review is much more focused on the Government budget than the SCPA. I stand to be corrected, but I would be surprised if the Finance Committee were to receive any representations on the SCPA's part of the budget process, unless we choose to make any. Having said that, if there are any deficiencies in the current process, this would seem the natural time to try to address them as part of a broader review. I imagine that there will be a fair opportunity for the SCPA to influence the way that the process works in relation to our role.

I think that that is right. We all have our strong views about the budget process and its advantages or deficiencies. However, I do not think that it is the role of the SCPA to comment on broader issues. I do not know whether there is much in the review that relates to our interests.

We shall just note Mr Welsh's letter. Members will be duly informed if there is any need for our further involvement.

Meeting closed at 10:53.