It seems to be reasonable that the collection pot of all taxes, licences fees and other income is managed by the States for the benefit of the people of Jersey, who are legally obliged to pay taxes and other licences fees to the States.
It follows therefore that the same people ( shareholders of Jersey if you prefer ) should be able to see how each department spends its budget, in a clear and detailed manner. At the moment the published accounts, do not give anywhere near enough detail. The JEP had to use adopted freedom of information laws, to secure information on expense accounts !
Many years ago, this would have caused an administive nightmare, but as we have computer accounting to the finest detail, I would like a proposal taken to the States so that every penny spent can be shown. There is no reason at all not to give detailed breakdowns of departments spending.
Private sector businesses do this as normal practice for their tax returns.
By informing the islands taxpaying shareholders, this will go some way to explaining expenditure. The accounts shown at the present time are far to basic, and the old execuse of, its beyond the publics intelligence on an island of bankers and finance workers is insulting. The proposition would read something like.
The proposition is that each and every States department, must by 2011 have in place a clear accounting mandate, that shows the budget granted to that department and how that budget is spend, this will be available on the Government website. This is shown at the present time, but under this proposition all spending over £10 pounds must be detailed individually, and clearly.
If not why not, surely they must have the figures already ?
Boatyboy
