A recent audit report on COVID-19 Assistance Grants has shed light on some instances of mismanagement of funds, but also offered praise for the handling of funds by former Territorial-At-Large Representative Shereen Flax-Charles
The report highlighted that one of the guidelines for the stimulus programme dictated that funds were to be paid directly to the third party on behalf of the applicant where it was practicable to do so.
This meant that loans, rent, and utilities could be paid directly to vendors instead of being given to applicants to ensure the grant funds were used for their intended purposes.
However, the report found that overall, "direct payment to vendors was not strictly enforced," even in areas where it could have been done.
The report singled out Flax-Charles as the leader who made the greatest attempt to issue payments to third parties where it was possible.
Flax-Charles consistently issued third-party payments in her grant awards, with a compliance rate four times higher than former Premier Andrew Fahie, who was one of the worst offenders in this area.
Flax-Charles also made 27 grant payments for applicants' loan delinquency relief, 26 of which were paid directly to the financial institutions.
The report stated that this added accountability and a larger pool of individuals served from the funds.
However, Flax-Charles was called out in the report for her handling of grants given for district projects.
The report found that she undertook multiple community projects totaling $54,370.60 but did not sign any contracts or binding agreements to ensure that these were completed to an acceptable standard.
There was also no evidence of comparative quotes to ensure the government received the best possible price for the proposed works, and it was unclear whether the contractor was paid upfront or after the works were completed.
The report also found that the files did not show any approval from the Financial Secretary or the Minister of Finance for these projects.
Overall, while the report found some areas of improvement, it praised Flax-Charles for her handling of some funds, particularly in the area of direct payments to vendors.
However, the report found that overall, "direct payment to vendors was not strictly enforced," even in areas where it could have been done.
The report singled out Flax-Charles as the leader who made the greatest attempt to issue payments to third parties where it was possible.
Flax-Charles consistently issued third-party payments in her grant awards, with a compliance rate four times higher than former Premier Andrew Fahie, who was one of the worst offenders in this area.
Flax-Charles also made 27 grant payments for applicants' loan delinquency relief, 26 of which were paid directly to the financial institutions.
The report stated that this added accountability and a larger pool of individuals served from the funds.
However, Flax-Charles was called out in the report for her handling of grants given for district projects.
The report found that she undertook multiple community projects totaling $54,370.60 but did not sign any contracts or binding agreements to ensure that these were completed to an acceptable standard.
There was also no evidence of comparative quotes to ensure the government received the best possible price for the proposed works, and it was unclear whether the contractor was paid upfront or after the works were completed.
The report also found that the files did not show any approval from the Financial Secretary or the Minister of Finance for these projects.
Overall, while the report found some areas of improvement, it praised Flax-Charles for her handling of some funds, particularly in the area of direct payments to vendors.
