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The work of the Public Trustee - and the amount it costs the island - could be highlighted next month as two deputies try and force the States to debate its Annual Accounts.
Deputies Gavin St Pier and Adrian Gabriel have lodged a 'Motion to Debate' the report.
The Public Trustee’s Annual Accounts had already been lodged as an 'Appendix Report' for the States Meeting on 11 December.
In the letter to the Bailiff accompanying the accounts, the President of Economic Development, Deputy Neil Inder wrote that the committee is "required to submit the report and accounts on the exercise of the Public Trustee’s functions for the preceding year to the States of Deliberation".
Appendix Reports are not usually debated, and are effectively 'nodded through'.
That might not be the case this year though.
Deputy St Pier said he and Deputy Gabriel have lodged their Motion to Debate because of concerns over a lack of progress with a review and reform of the Office of the Public Trustee.
“The most significant issue being managed by the Public Trustee has been running for a number of years now," the pair said. "£5.9m of public funds have been committed up to the end of 2023 and almost certainly more during 2024. With this ever increasing exposure for taxpayers there is significant uncertainty about the likelihood of a full recovery of public funds from the trust structures being managed.
“Economic Development has previously committed to review and reform of the Office of Public Trustee but no progress has been reported publicly to date.
“A debate will provide an opportunity to better understand the prospects of recovering the public funds at risk and to receive an update on what progress, if any, has been made in the review and reform of the Public Trustee function.”
The Motion to Debate will be lodged during the meeting on 11 December, and if approved the Annual Accounts of the Public Trustee will then be debated.
Pictured top (l-r): Deputies Gavin St Pier and Adrian Gabriel.
EXPLAINER: The role and responsibilities of the Public Trustee
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