THE Wales Audit Office’s damning report on the States shows a woeful misunderstanding, according to one deputy.

Matt Fallaize welcomed the report’s raising ‘obvious deficiencies’ in the operation and culture of the States. But he said it had missed the point.

Deputy Fallaize (pictured) and Education minister Carol Steere leapt to defend consensus government.

‘Parts of the report reveal a woeful misunderstanding of our unique non-executive system,’ said Deputy Fallaize.

He asked the WAO to provide an example of a government which demonstrated best corporate practice, but said it could not.

‘They said the deficiencies they found in Guernsey were quite common elsewhere.’

Deputy Fallaize said the highly critical report demanded significant action, but not a move from consensus government.

‘I would like us to get our teeth into tackling the problems that have been identified.

‘One possible way forward initially would be to put together a team of ministers and non-ministers, maybe with some external non-political advice, to make recommendations about establishing corporate governance that would be appropriate for Guernsey within our system of non-executive, non-party government.’

Education minister Carol Steere suggested moves to improve the situation.

‘I do believe there is a case for reducing the number of States members and slimming down,’ she said.