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European Parliament
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2014 discharge: European Police College (CEPOL)

2015/2180(DEC)

The European Parliament decided to grant the Director of the European Police College (CEPOL) discharge in respect of the implementation of the College’s budget for the financial year 2014. The vote on the decision on discharge covers the closure of the accounts (in accordance with Annex 5, Article 5 (1) (a) to Parliament’s Rules of Procedure.

Noting that the Court of Auditors has stated that it has obtained reasonable assurances that CEPOL’s annual accounts for the financial year 2014 are reliable and that the underlying transactions are legal and regular, Parliament adopted by 511 votes to 114 with 13 abstentions, a resolution containing a series of recommendations, which form an integral part of the decision on discharge and which add to the general recommendations set out in the resolution  on performance, financial management and control of EU agencies:

  • CEPOL’s financial statements: Parliament noted the final budget of CEPOL for the financial year 2014 was EUR 8 575 859, representing an increase of 1.48 % compared to 2013.
  • Commitments and carryovers: Parliament noted with concern the cancellation rate for committed appropriations carried over from 2013 at EUR 129 828 (15%). It pointed 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. It called 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. Parliament also noted that the level of committed appropriations was high and increased by 4 % compared to 2013, but acknowledged that the level of carry-overs is higher mainly due to the relocation of the headquarters that took place in October 2014.

Parliament 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, Parliament noted 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, Parliament called on the College to enhance its procedures and practices aimed at safeguarding the financial interests of the Union.