Questionable Spending and Unlawful Activities: State Audit Office Criticizes Wasteful Spending and Legal Transgressions
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Audit Court's Findings: Unjustified Spending and Questionable Practices - Audit Court Finds Unjustified Spending and Illegal Practices
The State Audit Office of Lower Saxony has criticized the misuse of hundreds of thousands of euros in state funds and even discovered instances of blatantly illegal handling of finances. This severe scrutiny is reflected in the annual report of the supervisory authority, which was presented in Hanover. The focus has been on the lax personnel planning of the police, unnecessary expenses at universities, and questionable practices by the State Office for Nature Conservation.
The State Office for Nature Conservation, a joint institution of eight large nature conservation associations, has been receiving approximately 600,000 euros annually, as per the State Audit Office. The auditors' concern is that there is a lack of evidence for the state's interest. Half of the funds were reportedly illegally transferred to the eight associations by the office. In multiple cases, employees were also overpaid.
Auditors: Cut the Funding for Nature Conservation Office
The funding has been in place for ten years. During the presentation of the annual report in Hanover, a representative from the State Audit Office stated that around two million euros should be recovered. However, the recovery process has been slow. In their conclusion, the auditors recommend stopping the funding of the State Office for Nature Conservation.
The Environment Ministry stated that the legal review is not yet complete. The state will address the criticism of the State Audit Office with great intensity, with the aim of continuing the work of the State Office with new structures, shifting the foundation where necessary, allowing the essential work to continue in the state's interests.
It is also being investigated whether the permanent transfer of funding was legally flawed and whether this would result in repayments. Concerning excessive remuneration, recovery and repayment have already taken place.
criticism: State Delays Response to Demographic Shifts
A central assessment of the State Audit Office is that the state is ill-prepared for the ramifications of demographic shifts. Falling applicant numbers among the police force have led to the inability to meet the demand for young talent. "The trend was foreseeable. However, the police reacted too late," said State Audit Office President Sandra von Klaeden.
Although the police lowered their admission requirements and hired everyone who passed the selection process, they were unable to meet their personnel needs between 2022 and 2024, according to the auditors.
A spokesperson for the responsible Interior Ministry pointed out that demographic shifts affect all areas of society. The police have always been able to meet their hiring needs, they countered. The criticism of the State Audit Office is not entirely comprehensible because measures, programs, and cabinet decisions from the past two years are not mentioned in some cases.
Outlook: Nearly one-fourth of state employees will retire by 2032.
Independent of the police, the Audit Office expects that almost every fourth civil servant will retire or go into pension regularly by 2032. The situation could worsen if employees choose to leave early. The 2012 concept for an adapted personnel management, adopted by the then state government in response to demographic changes, has not had a significant impact. Audit Office President von Klaeden labeled the project as non-binding, outdated, and inadequately understood.
The Federation of Taxpayers criticized that despite known labor shortages, state positions are being created year after year. "If measures are not taken immediately, this threatens the functionality of our state," said the association's board for Lower Saxony and Bremen, Jan Vermöhlen.
He called for an immediate halt to new state positions. Additionally, the state government must guarantee that civil servants remain in service until their regular retirement age. The law only allows retirement in Lower Saxony upon application at the age of 60, without special circumstances being required.
Auditors: University Rental Costs Surge by 500,000 euros
Upon examining the expenses, the auditors also focused on the work of the Ministry of Science. The University of Hannover had unnecessarily paid 500,000 euros in rent due to not being able to utilize an empty building. Furthermore, a new building was authorized for the University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Holzminden, even though the need for space was significantly lower according to the Audit Office’s calculations.
The ministry claimed that it no longer adheres to the new building project in Holzminden after multiple reviews. Currently, alternatives for housing a new faculty are being explored.
Regarding potential unnecessary vacancies, the ministry stated that universities are responsible for managing their resources and facilities efficiently.
The Audit Office is a state authority based in Hildesheim, with the independent external financial control of the state without a political mandate. Its focus is on auditing the economic efficiency and legal compliance of the state's budget and financial management.
There is no direct evidence in the available data concerning specific findings by the State Audit Office Lower Saxony with regards to illegal practices, unnecessary expenditure, or a failure to address demographic change within the state administration. However, it is relevant to note that the audit mechanisms and legal oversight are active in Lower Saxony and across Germany, and specific issues may be uncovered during audits.
- The State Audit Office of Lower Saxony, in their annual report, has raised concerns about the lack of evidence for the state's interest in the funding allocated to the State Office for Nature Conservation, as the office reportedly transferred half of the funds to the eight nature conservation associations illegally and overpaid employees.
- The State Audit Office has also criticized the employment policy within the state administration, particularly in the police force and higher education institutions, highlighting the inability to meet demand for young talent and unnecessary rental costs.
