DISCUSSING here yesterday the value of a review of public sector corporate governance started by the Public Accounts Committee, we raised two of the more interesting questions that will be asked by the Wales Audit Office.

That involved improving the ability of members of government and stimulating what was called ‘robust accountability’.

The other four areas that the WAO will inquire into, however, are also critically important to the smooth running of the island. The first two are similar: does the States focus on its purpose and outcomes for islanders and the users of public services and does government perform effectively in clearly defined functions and roles?

What we already know, thanks to the initial – but separate – work by spending reviewer Tribal Helm, is that it does not, at least in the areas identified in its phase one report.

How much better or worse it is across the States as a whole remains to be seen, but it reinforces the value of an independent assessment of what government does, why, and how well it does it.

The WAO will also be asking whether the States promotes common ‘good governance behaviors’ across government and whether it takes informed, transparent decisions and manages risk adequately.

At worst, WAO will report a resounding No in all areas. At best, it will record a ‘could do better in the following areas…’

Wherever the judgement lies, however, it provides a stimulus for deputies and chief officers to do better and, where things are found wanting, to bring them up to current best practice.

That is important for two reasons. Firstly, without such an independent review, government here is constantly defending itself against perceptions of inefficiency – and losing that battle. The WAO will at least set some objective benchmark by which performance can be judged.

Secondly, without external standard setting, there is no impetus for improvement. Those in government can simply sit back, say what a wonderful job is being done and take hurt when islanders say that, no, actually it is not.

There is a third benefit, too. Dealing with the Tribal Helm and WAO findings are matters that this administration will have to deal with as things stand.

In other words, cabinet government isn’t even on the agenda so this will be a real opportunity for members to make the current system work.