2014 discharge: European Police College (CEPOL)

The Committee on Budgetary Control adopted the report by Derek VAUGHAN (S&D, UK) on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Police College for the financial year 2014.

The parliamentary committee calls on the European Parliament to grant the Director of the College discharge in respect of the implementation of the College’s budget for the financial year 2014.

Noting that the Court of Auditors issued a statement of assurance as to the reliability of the accounts and the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions for the financial year 2014, Members call on Parliament to approve the closure of the College’s accounts. They made, however, a number of recommendations that needed to be taken into account when the discharge is granted, in addition to the general recommendations that appear in the draft resolution on performance, financial management and control of EU agencies:

·         College’s financial statements: Members note the final budget of the European Police College for the financial year 2014 was EUR 8 575 859, representing an increase of 1.48 % compared to 2013.

·         Commitments and carryovers: Members note with concern the cancellation rate for committed appropriations carried over from 2013 at EUR 129 828 (15%). They point out that the high cancellation rate resulted mainly from the cancellation of the Matrix project as well as from lower-than-estimated costs to be reimbursed under the 2013 grant agreements. They call on the College to prepare a proper user analysis for similar projects and to obtain more accurate information from its beneficiaries when estimating grant costs.

Members also made a series of observations regarding budget and financial management, the prevention and management of conflicts of interest, as well as contract award, recruitment and internal audit and control procedures.

In terms of performance, Members note that the cost of relocation of the College from the United Kingdom to Hungary has been estimated at EUR 1 006 515, of which 43 % has been financed by the College via savings derived from the lower correction coefficient applied to staff entitlements in Hungary, the remaining amount being financed equally by contributions from the Commission and the United Kingdom.

Lastly, Members call on the College to enhance its procedures and practices aimed at safeguarding the financial interests of the Union.