Terms of Reference for the Control Committee (GPK) of the Cantonal Council of Solothurn (GPK)

1. The Business Audit Commission (BAC) supervises, under the framework of superior oversight, the management of the entire administration, including other entities responsible for public duties according to Article 85 of the Cantonal Constitution (see KRG § 46).

2. It reviews the accountability report of the Executive Council and the separately treated business reports of the

a) Solothurn Building Insurance;

b) Cantonal Pension Fund Solothurn.

3. Matters that are substantively related should be submitted to the Cantonal Council in the same session, if possible.

1. The Supervision by the GPK is governed by the following criteria

a) Legality (Constitutionality and Compliance with Laws);

b) Expediency (Appropriateness of Measures Taken, Efficiency regarding Resources Utilized, Organizational and Leadership Structures);

c) Goal Compliance (Consistency with the Mission Statement or other Political Programs);

d) Effectiveness (Efficacy of Legislation and Administrative Activities).

1. The GPK deals with individual administrative acts only to derive general insights from them.

1. Each year, individual offices are to undergo a thorough examination.

1. The GPK has no directive competencies.

2. The GPK can report its findings to the council and submit motions at any time (see KRG § 46 para. 2).

3. The GPK can submit parliamentary initiatives (see GR § 79 para. 1), provide recommendations in its reports, and verify through follow-up checks whether these recommendations have been implemented (see KRG § 50 para. 2 and 3).

1. The GPK may

a) request additional reports and documents;

b) with the consent of the department head, question administrative staff about the matter;

c) conduct inspections;

d) carry out visits;

e) with the consent of the council leadership, involve external experts.

1. Release from Official Secrecy is governed by KRG § 32. In the event of disagreements, the GPK may insist on a request for access to files (see KRG § 32 para. 4).

1. Anyone who becomes aware of statements or acts that are subject to official secrecy is themselves bound by official secrecy (see KRG § 34).

1. The GPK constitutes itself (cf. GR § 21 para. 2).

1. The president of the GPK, in consultation with the council secretariat, prepares a meeting schedule for at least six months.

1. The provisions of §§ 41 and 43 et seq. of the Rules of Procedure apply mutatis mutandis to commission negotiations (see RP § 23).

2. The obligation to recuse oneself is governed by KRG § 27.

1. Representation is only permissible if a commission member is unable to attend commission meetings for an extended period (see GR § 20).

1. The primary point of contact for the GPK is the Government Council.

2. If the commission wishes to meet without the relevant department head, it shall inform him of this in a timely manner.

1. Inspections are generally to be announced to the respective head of the department (cf. KRG § 50 para. 1).

1. If the parliamentary supervisory committee identifies deficiencies or wishes to make recommendations, it shall provide the head of the relevant department an opportunity to comment before the conclusion of the discussions (see KRG § 50 para. 2).

1. The GPK usually meets in private. Its sessions are not accessible to other council members either (see KRG § 17).

1. The GPK may form committees (see GR § 23 para. 3). These committees have the same information rights as the full commission.

1. The GPK informs the other supervisory commissions (FIKO, JUKO) about findings that affect their areas of responsibility (see KRG § 51).

1. All minutes must be submitted to the presidents of the other supervisory commissions. Exempt from this are the minutes concerning commission negotiations that are subject to official secrecy (cf. GR § 27 para. 3).

1. The GPK submits a report to the council in writing or verbally.

2. The written reports and the motions must be delivered to the council members and the executive council at least ten days before the session (see GR § 25).

1. The President of the Commission or the spokesperson designated by the Commission may, if necessary, orally supplement the written reports during the Council debate (cf. GR § 25).

1. The Parliamentary Control Committee (GPK) may request the Council (see GR § 43ff.) to

a) not proceed with the matter;

b) proceed with the matter, but reject the proposal;

c) proceed with the matter and accept the proposal without changes;

d) proceed with the matter and accept the proposal with specific amendments.

1. The GPK periodically informs the public about its activities (cf. KRG § 18).

2. The Commission President is responsible for the preparation of press releases and the organization of press conferences.

1. Press releases are to be delivered to the media through the Council Secretariat.

2. The Council Secretariat may consolidate the communications of several committees.

1. If a press conference is organized, the government must be informed.

1. The Specifications of the GPK dated October 26, 1977, are repealed.

1. This specification enters into force on January 1, 1992.