Comptroller & Auditor General Publishes Follow-Up Report On ‘Lime Grove House’

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The Comptroller & Auditor General (‘C&AG’), Karen McConnell has today (25 September 2013) published a report entitled ‘Management of Major Property Transactions: Learning from the proposed acquisition of Lime Grove House’.

In her report, Karen makes Recommendations for future action to be taken by the States in relation to the overall management of major property transactions. The recommendations are based on an examination of the issues surrounding the proposed acquisition of Lime Grove House (‘LGH’) as a headquarters for the States of Jersey Police during the period 2009 to 2011 and the eventual failure of the transaction.

The failed acquisition generated controversy but there has not been a clear focus on the lessons to be learnt. This report therefore builds on the enquiries undertaken by Karen’s predecessor. The focus of this report is the project management aspects of LGH and what can be learnt by the States in relation to the management of major property transactions in the future.

In the report, the C&AG makes it very clear that any project can fail. The risks of failure are increased by poor project management. In the case of LGH, the report identifies weaknesses within the States at the time, which increased the risk of the failure of the transaction.

However, in the report Karen also examines what has been put in place by the States since that time, and what can still be done to make further improvements.

The C&AG calls for the implementation of a consistent and systematic approach across the States for the management of major projects from start to finish. Karen also recommends a consistent framework across the States, which sets out the roles and responsibilities of Chief Officers and Ministers in relation to the management of major projects.

Commenting on the report, Karen McConnell said:

“The examination of the issues surrounding the proposed acquisition of Lime Grove House has undoubtedly highlighted failings within the system at the time. Some improvements have been made since then but more needs to be done. …/2

“My recommendations are designed to improve the management of major projects through the introduction of comprehensive States-wide standards. These changes, together with investment in skills and expertise necessary to implement those standards, should help to reduce the risk of projects failing in the future.”

To access the report please click on: www.jerseyauditoffice.je or ‘Reports’ in http://www.statesassembly.gov.je/Pages/default.aspx