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

The European Parliament decided to grant discharge to the Director of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP) in regard to the implementation of the Centre’s budget for the 2016 financial year and to approve the closure of the accounts for the financial year in question.

Noting that the Court of Auditors has stated that it has obtained reasonable assurances that the Centre’s annual accounts for the financial year 2016 are reliable and that the underlying transactions are legal and regular, Parliament adopted by 510 votes to 110 with 8 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:

• Centre’s financial statements: 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 welcomed the fact that women are well represented at all grades, including at management level, which is noteworthy for not always being the case

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. Members emphasised the need to establish an independent body with sufficient budgetary resources to support whistleblowers wishing to disclose information on possible irregularities negatively impacting on the Union’s financial interests, while ensuring their confidentiality is protected.

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”.