Public Accounts Committee

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) serves as a cornerstone of transparency and fiscal oversight in the Assembly. This standing committee consists of three to five Members drawn from both Government and Opposition, with an Opposition Member serving as Chairman to ensure independent scrutiny of public finances.

Core Responsibilities

Under the House of Assembly (Procedure) Rules, the Public Accounts Committee's duties include:

• Verifying expenditure compliance - ensuring that authorized expenditure during each financial year has been applied to purposes prescribed by the Assembly.
• Scrutinizing financial irregularities - investigating causes of excess expenditure and verifying applications of savings on authorized items.
• Conducting comprehensive examinations - making effective examination of public accounts across all government departments and agencies.
• Holding departments accountable - summoning public officers to provide information, explanations, or produce records and documents.
• Promoting fiscal discipline - recommending corrective actions to improve financial governance.
• Ensuring transparency - submitting regular reports to the Assembly for public scrutiny.

Powers and Authority

The Committee possesses significant authority to fulfill its oversight mandate:

• Power to summon any public officer for testimony or documentation
• Authority to appoint specialist advisers for complex financial matters
• Access to all government financial records and accounts
• Ability to compel cooperation from departments and agencies

Accountability and Reporting

The Public Accounts Committee submits its findings to the Assembly through formal reports. When the Assembly adopts a PAC report, the Government must respond in writing within six weeks, ensuring timely accountability and follow-through on recommendations.

Democratic Oversight

Through rigorous, independent oversight, the Public Accounts Committee empowers the Assembly to monitor financial decisions effectively, builds public trust in government spending, and ensures responsible stewardship of public resources. This vital work protects taxpayer interests while promoting transparency and accountability in the management of Anguilla's public finances.