Part 4: Accountability
Accounts and audit
98.Paragraph 17 requires the adjudicator to keep proper accounts and gives the Scottish Ministers power to give directions as to the form of those accounts. A copy of the accounts must be sent to the Auditor General for Scotland. This makes the adjudicator subject to sections 21 and 22 of the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000(5), which includes requirements relevant to the auditing of accounts by the Auditor General for Scotland (for example, that accounts must be sent to the Auditor General no later than 6 months after the end of the financial year to which the account relates).
Annual report
99.Paragraph 18 requires the adjudicator to publish an annual report after each financial year and send it to the Scottish Ministers (this may mean that the first annual report covers a shorter period than one year, depending on when the office of adjudicator is established). The Scottish Ministers must lay a copy of each annual report before the Scottish Parliament. This will bring the report to the attention of the Parliament (including to relevant committees) and allow further scrutiny as appropriate.
Information to Scottish Ministers
100.Under paragraph 19, the Scottish Ministers can require information from the adjudicator to assist them in carrying out their functions under the Act. This is a general power which will help to ensure the appropriate accountability of the adjudicator.
Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000 (asp 1). Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2000/1/contents.