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2016 discharge: European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop)

2017/2147(DEC)

The Committee on Budgetary Control adopted the report by Bart STAES (Greens/EFA, BE) on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP) for the financial year 2016.

The committee called on the European Parliament to grant the Director of the Centre discharge in respect of the implementation of the agency’s budget for the financial year 2016.

Noting that the Court of Auditors stated that it had obtained reasonable assurance that the annual accounts of the Centre for the financial year 2016 were reliable and that the underlying transactions were legal and regular, Members called on Parliament to approve the closure of the Centre’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:

  • Centre’s financial statements: Members noted that the Centre’s final budget of the Centre for the financial year 2016 was EUR 18 019 949, representing a decrease of 1.83 % compared to 2015. The Centre’s budget derives mainly from the Union budget.
  • Budget and financial management: budget monitoring efforts during the financial year 2016 resulted in a budget implementation rate of 99.99 %, representing an increase of 1.43 % compared to the previous year.
  • Commitments and carry-overs: the Centre was able to utilise additional savings resulting from the downward adjustment in the salary weighting factor from 79.9 % to 79.3 %. Members noted with satisfaction that the Centre transferred the ensuing savings in personnel costs to operational activities and successfully managed to commit them before the year end.

Members also made a series of observations regarding transfers, internal controls and audits, the prevention and management of conflicts of interests, procurement and staff policy.

They noted that the Centre adopted guidelines on whistleblowing, which are based on the Commission’s Guidelines and which satisfy the requirements as set out in the Staff Regulations. There were no whistle-blowing case in 2016 in the Centre.

Lastly, Members also noted with satisfaction that the Court’s comment on the building, repair work, structural strengthening and various safety issues is now marked as “completed”.