Care home inquiry to probe project's management

An independent inquiry into a £1.3m overspend on a care home extension will look at how the project was managed.

The States of Alderney has released further details about the scope of the inquiry, which began on 3 March and is being held in private.

It is broadly tasked with detailing where accountability lies over the soaring costs of the 13-room extension to the States-owned Connaught Care Home.

In terms of references released by the States, it was revealed the panel will also look at the project's procurement and contracting arrangements.

Planning permission was granted for the extension in St Anne in 2019 and £1.29m was approved for the project in March 2020. It was previously reported that overall, the States had approved £2.367m.

The inquiry, which will also look at processes that failed and indicate safeguards for future projects, is being led by Martin Thornton, a judge from Guernsey Magistrates' Court.

It is expected to be completed in six weeks.

The management assessment will focus on the responsibilities within the programme management office, accountability of the contract administrator and the role of the political General Services Committee.

It will also look at the project board, the level of professional support provided and peer review opportunities.

The assessment into contracting arrangements will look at the "robustness of the procurement process and associated support mechanisms".

The States said the inquiry will look at the "appropriateness of the contracts that have governed the delivery of the project, including a review of performance clauses" and cost-tracking mechanisms and their effectiveness.

It added the General Service Committee will review the findings and determine what will be made public.

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