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DRAFT REPORT (2024/2026(DEC))

On discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2023, Section VII – Committee of the Regions

CONT-PR-764992

Committee on Budgetary Control · Rapporteur: Joachim Stanisław Brudziński

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This draft report proposes granting discharge to the Committee of the Regions for the 2023 budget, with observations in the accompanying resolution. The resolution notes the Committee's budget implementation, internal management, human resources, ethics, digitalisation, buildings, environment, interinstitutional cooperation, and communication, making recommendations for improvement.

Committee position. The rapporteur proposes granting discharge to the Committee of the Regions for the 2023 budget, with observations in the accompanying resolution.

Key points

  1. The draft decision grants discharge to the Secretary-General of the Committee of the Regions for the 2023 financial year.
  2. Notes the Committee's budget was EUR 116,675,392 in 2023, with high execution rates for commitments (99.9%) and payments (91.20%).
  3. Notes the Court of Auditors found errors in 21 of 70 sampled transactions under Heading 7, but overall administrative spending is low risk.
  4. Calls on the Commission and budgetary authority to consider whether the Committee needs additional resources, given high budget execution rates.
  5. Asks the Committee to explain the increase in interpreting services appropriations and to improve budgetary planning for communication.
  6. Regrets the increase in average payment time to 21.88 days, but understands it is due to a record number of invoices processed.
  7. Calls on the Committee to implement all pending audit recommendations and report on competitions organised in 2024.
  8. Notes the Committee's reliance on contract and temporary agents due to absence of EPSO reserve lists, and supports internal competitions.
  9. Welcomes the adoption of a hybrid working regime and notes positive impacts on sick leave, but asks to monitor its impact.
  10. Notes OLAF processed two cases in 2023, with one investigation leading to a disciplinary procedure and recovery of gains.
  11. Welcomes the Committee's anti-fraud measures and commitment to adopt an anti-fraud strategy in 2025.
  12. Notes the Committee did not encounter cyber-attacks in 2023 and adopted the NIST Cybersecurity Framework with the EESC.

Who is affected

  • The Committee of the Regions: subject to discharge and asked to implement recommendations and improve planning.
  • The European Commission and budgetary authority: called to consider the Committee's resource needs.
  • Committee staff: affected by hybrid working regime and anti-fraud measures.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 116,675,392: final adopted budget of the Committee for 2023.
  • 99.9%: commitment appropriations execution rate in 2023.
  • 91.20%: payment appropriations execution rate in 2023.
  • 21.88 days: average payment time in 2023.
  • 5,723: number of invoices processed in 2023.
  • 559: total staff at end of 2023.
  • 60%: maximum telework percentage under hybrid working regime.
  • EUR 12.7 million: combined IT budget of Committee and EESC in 2023.

Legal basis: Article 314(10) and Articles 317, 318 and 319 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union