One highlight of our work with Overseas Territories has been in Anguilla where the Public Accounts Committee had struggled to run inquiries and finalise reports as they did not have dedicated staff.

CPA UK supported the committee through a long-term secondment of a clerk from the House of Commons. As a result, the committee finalised three reports and was well prepared to host evidence sessions and guidance was successfully provided on witness preparation and questioning strategies ahead of the evidence sessions. Publishing formal committee minutes on the government website was noticed by legislators and those in governing positions.

This has led to the Assembly in Anguilla budgeting to have a permanent resource to support the Public Accounts Committees to undertake more detailed scrutiny to continue providing oversight in Anguilla to improve transparency and accountability in the Territory.

“CPA UK has provided short term attachments by an experienced Public Accounts Committee clerk at critical points in the work programme of the Committee. The periodic short term attachments have allowed the Committee to hold evidence sessions, to produce a report and learn key skills, such as inquiry management and consensus building.”

- Hon. Palmavon Webster MHA, PAC Chair, Anguilla