Forum to Bring Together Key Stakeholders Across UK Overseas Territories to Strengthen Financial Oversight and Good Governance, Against the Backdrop of Pandemic Recovery
Key actors from the UK and the Overseas Territories (OTs) will meet virtually from Tuesday, 30 November, to Thursday, 2 December, for the Oversight of Public Finance and Good Governance Forum 2021.
This will be the fourth programme of its kind, designed to bring together key stakeholders from across the OTs, including Speakers, Members, and Clerks from Legislatures, as well as Internal and External Auditors and Electoral Officials, to explore issues relating to good governance and oversight of public finances. Participating territories include Anguilla, Ascension, Bermuda, The British Virgin Islands, The Cayman Islands, The Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn, St Helena, Tristan da Cunha and The Turks and Caicos Islands.
Delivered against the backdrop of the global pandemic, the virtual forum will provide a platform for delegates to identify ways to strengthen financial oversight and good governance across the Overseas Territories.
It will also explore how delegates can collaborate with their counterparts on Pandemic Recovery, Scrutiny and Communicating with Impact.
The Forum is a continuation of the work of the UK Overseas Territories Project supporting good governance and oversight of public finances in the UK Overseas Territories, delivered by the UK Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in partnership with the UK National Audit Office and Government Internal Audit Agency.
The Chair of the UK Overseas Territories Project, and Vice-Chair of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK (CPA UK), Rt Hon. Lord Foulkes said:
“I am delighted that our partners across the Overseas Territories continue to show an increasing desire to strengthen their public financial oversight and scrutiny functions. The 2021 Forum, to be delivered virtually for the first time, will be a fantastic opportunity to take stock of progress since we entered the second phase of the project, and to explore mutual challenges and opportunities as we all continue to navigate the global pandemic.”
The Speaker of the St Helena Legislature added:
“The St Helena legislature is delighted to participate in the UKOTP Oversight of Public Finances & Good Governance Forum. Our Public Accounts Committee benefitted enormously from the first phase becoming more effective scrutinising public spending.
“Our Legislative Council now looks forward to similar results. We have moved from a Committee system of government to Ministers and Back Benchers including scrutiny committees, responsible for scrutinising the Government’s declared manifestos. We hope the second phase helps facilitate this and bring about improved communications and effective methods of leadership as we recover from the effects of COVID-19 and respond to climate change impact.”
The UK Overseas Territories Project, now in its second phase, is an ongoing programme of support for public financial management and governance targeted towards UK Overseas Territories (OTs). The Project is delivered by a consortium led by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK (CPA UK) with the UK National Audit Office (NAO) and the UK Government Internal Audit Agency (GIAA), and funded by the UK Government’s Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF).
Phase II of the project seeks to provide a broader range of governance support aimed at improving the capacity of parliamentarians, parliamentary and electoral officials and public auditors in the UK Overseas Territories to conduct their legislative, oversight and electoral responsibilities.
For more information go to: https://www.uk-cpa.org/what-we-do/uk-overseas-territories-project/ or contact Mark Scott on scottm@parliament.uk
St Helena Legislative Council
29 November 2021
