1996 discharge: European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training ECDVT budget (Thessaloniki)

In its recommendation on the discharge to be granted to CEDEFOP for the implementation of the budget for the 1996 financial year the Council made a number of comments relating to the points highlighted by the Court of Auditors in its report on the implementation of the 1996 budget by CEDEFOP. The Council pointed out in particular that the Centre had continued to manage excessively high cash balances, that carry-overs, although in decline, had remained frequent and that recourse to imprest accounts had been limited only from 1997. It pointed out that many contracts had been awarded without an invitation to tender whilst payments had received the approval of the financial controller. It also noted, with the Court of Auditors, that the Centre was unable to determine who would bear the cost for the renovation of the temporary premises and that the construction of permanent premises had been delayed. The Centre responded to its various points by stating that: 1) it was now presenting its liquidity forecasts to the Commission in the course of the quarterly withdrawals so as to avoid managing excessively large balances, 2) the failure to comply with the obligation to launch an invitation to tender was justified by the concern to ensure continuity of work, 3) the new building would be completed for 9 May 1999 (to this end, the Centre was holding the funds necessary for the final payment, emanating from the budget); as far as the renovation of the temporary premises was concerned, it would attempt to obtain compensation when the current lease expired. In the light of the observations made by the Centre and the Court, the Council called on the Commission to make the payment of the Community grant proportionate with the liquidity needs of the Centre. It also called on the Centre to continue its efforts to avoid paying for the renovation of the temporary premises. Lastly, and in the light of its comments, the Council recommended that the European Parliament grant a discharge to the Management Board of the Centre for the implementation of the 1996 budget.�