Topic: Auditor General Sue Winspear
Jefferson: Government needs to build up reserves to protect country
The government needs to build a "war chest of dollars" to protect Cayman from future economic shocks, a senior civil servant says.
Auditor general releases redacted ReGen value-for-money report
An auditor general's report into the now-abandoned ReGen solid waste management deal has been officially released.
Blame shifting and questions follow ReGen project collapse
Progressives leaders have acknowledged ‘deficiencies’ in their handling of the multi-million dollar deal to fix Cayman’s landfill problem, while seeking to shift scrutiny for the failure to the PACT and UPM governments that inherited the deal.
Auditor General Sue Winspear to leave office this year
Sue Winspear, Cayman's first female auditor general, will be leaving office later this year after eight years of service to the people and government of the Cayman Islands.
Auditor general: Gov’ts $2.5 billion post-retirement health costs can’t be ignored
With government's post-retirement healthcare liability now pegged at $2.5 billion, Auditor General Sue Winspear says a decision will have to be made soon on how to deal with it, as leaving the figure off the government accounts cannot continue inevitably.
Public Accounts Committee flags 5-year backlog in audits
Audited financial accounts for the Ministry of Health and the Cayman Islands Airports Authority have been outstanding since 2019 and it may be some time before they are brought up to date, the Public Accounts Committee has heard.
‘Inefficient’ gov’t budget process being overhauled
Cayman's national budget process is facing a complete overhaul with government taking steps to move towards a more transparent and efficient outcomes-based framework.
‘Archaic’ Parliament Standing Orders to be modernised in 2024
House Speaker Sir Alden McLaughlin says he will be pressing forward with efforts to modernise the Parliamentary Standing Orders which were penned in 1976.
Winspear renews call for scheduled Parliament meetings
As Auditor General Sue Winspear welcomed the formation of the new United People's Movement administration, she also called on the new premier to create a set schedule of parliamentary meetings.
Auditor general: Reform of budget process needed
The ongoing rush to get the national budget completed before the 31 Dec. deadline is indicative of the need to reform the existing budget process, Auditor General Sue Winspear has said.
Public bodies spend $10 million without approval in 2022
Nine public bodies broke the law last year when they spent more than $10 million in government funds without requesting the required approval first.
Auditor general: Government can further improve financial reporting
Auditor General Sue Winspear said the quality public bodies’ financial reporting is generally good but there is much room for improvement.
Civil servants get new rules to govern pre-election duties
New rules have been issued to all public servants to guide their actions and decision-making processes in the run-up to elections, Deputy Governor and Head of the Civil Service Franz Manderson has announced.
Parliament expected to consider national ID card bill in December
Legislation to enable the establishment of a national identity card system is expected to be debated by members of Parliament in December.
Deputy premier had ‘no authority’ to cancel COVID test order
Auditor General Sue Winspear has said Deputy Premier Chris Saunders had "no authority" to make any phone call to cancel an order for 500,000 lateral flow tests with Blue Water Medical Supplies Limited last year.
Auditor general: Unclear if government online services offer value for money
An audit of the government's online services has indicated that it is unclear if they are providing value for money.
Travel Cayman, quarantine cost government over $15 million
Over the last two years the Cayman Islands government has spent over $15 million in operational costs for Travel Cayman and local quarantine facilities, an Auditor General report has revealed.
COVID costs Cayman $333 million
Over the last two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has cost the Cayman Islands government at least $333 million, an auditor general’s report has found.
DG investigation finds no breach in spending on overseas office, Dubai Expo
An internal investigation by Deputy Governor Franz Manderson, in response to an audit report that had found financial and legislative irregularities in planned funding for Cayman's overseas offices and the Dubai World Expo, has found no breaches occurred, because the money was ultimately not spent or needed.
Winspear ‘disappointed’ with government’s implementation of recommendations
The Office of the Auditor General has lamented government’s lack of progress in implementing Public Accounts Committee (PAC) recommendations.
Saunders and McTaggart agree: Flexibility is needed for gov’t finances
Following concerns raised by the auditor general, both Finance Minister Chris Saunders and Opposition Leader Roy McTaggart agree that though Cayman's budget process must have the flexibility to adjust spending as the need arises, a managed approach is best.
Budget rules consistently bent for years
Successive governments may have misused budget measures meant for emergencies to push through spending or re-assign funding without proper scrutiny from MPs, according to an analysis by Auditor General Sue Winspear.
Auditor general distances team from leaked report
Auditor General Sue Winspear has made it clear neither her nor her office was involved in the leaking of the controversial report that identified critical breaches of the law and Constitution prior to the 2021 election through the setting up of Cayman's international offices and participation on the Dubai Expo.
Governor: Auditor General report leak will be investigated
Governor Martyn Roper and Deputy Governor Franz Manderson have both expressed concern over the leaking of a yet-to-be-published Auditor General report, saying the matter will be investigated.
Auditor general: Some progress on recommendations but concerns remain
The Office of the Auditor General has found that government has responded to the majority of recommendations made by Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee on the basis of three audit reports.
Auditor General calls on government to address public sector’s adverse audit opinion
Government must address a wide range of issues before an unqualified audit opinion for the entire public sector can be given, according to Auditor General Sue Winspear.
Auditor General: Action lacking on many PAC recommendations
Auditor General Sue Winspear is highlighting a lack of action by government on several recommendations, including in healthcare and welfare assistance, made by her office and by the Public Accounts Committee.
Concessions draft policy heads to Cabinet in February
After years of repeated calls for a formal policy on government concessions, it appears an official framework to regulate how waivers are granted and who gets them may be making its way to Cabinet for consideration.
Public Accounts Committee calls for OfReg chairman to be removed
The Public Accounts Committee has recommended that the chairman of utility regulator OfReg, Linford Pierson, should be replaced.
OfReg chairman takes aim at audit report
OfReg chairman Linford Pierson went on the offensive Wednesday, taking aim at the auditor general’s performance audit into the local regulator and questioning the report’s validity and its objectivity.
Auditors question NRA internal controls
The Office of the Auditor General in its latest report has flagged purchasing breaches within the National Roads Authority.
Auditor: Government financial reporting improves
Auditor General Sue Winspear has welcomed improvements in financial reporting from government entities, but says there's more improvements to be made.
Ethics Law nears commencement
While Auditor General Sue Winspear has welcomed the Standards in Public Life Law coming into force in March, she said she is awaiting the release of the regulations which accompany the legislation.
Grand Court opening: Chief justice laments court constraints
Chief Justice Anthony Smellie said the struggle continues for courtroom space as he addressed the formal opening of Grand Court.
Report: Summary Court overall inefficiencies unclear
The Auditor General has said a lack of performance and financial information has made it “difficult to assess the overall efficiency and effectiveness of Summary Courts or Judicial Administration.”
Cayman joins public finance discussions
Local leaders tasked with oversight of Cayman’s public finances and governance structure joined international counterparts this week in the UK.
Auditor general probes RCIPS finances, overtime
The Auditor General’s Office has started an investigation into finances of the Police Welfare Fund and overtime payments at the RCIPS.
