Overall, Advice to the Program Delegate and Funding Decisions

      ANAO Report No.11 2014–15 The Award of Grants under the Clean Technology Program 119

5.21 However, these statements were not supported by the IA committee assessment

process. In particular, the IA committee assessments did not result in an agreed score against each of the merit criteria, as discussed in paragraphs 5.6 to 5.8. Further, as was noted in paragraph 5.14, the recommendations provided to the delegate by IA committees did not document:  the process that was used in forming recommendations;  expected project outcomes 138 ; or  a clear statement that the recommendation was based on an original or reframed application. Feedback to unsuccessful applicants

5.22 The provision of feedback to applicants has been emphasised by the Joint

Committee of Public Accounts and Audit as an important element of grant administration practice. 139 In the context of an open, non‐competitive program, the provision of specific feedback was critical in assisting applicants to apply for future grants, under the programs, where applicants choose to submit a revised application.

5.23 The most common reason recorded for not recommending an application

was that the IA committees considered that the applicant had not demonstrated that the total carbon savings over the life of the project, and in some cases the reduction in carbon emissions intensity, would be commensurate with the level of investment. Specifically, of the 211 applications that were not recommended by the IA committees, this reason was the only reason cited for an application not being successful in 146 cases 69 per cent of unsuccessful applications and a contributing reason for another 53 cases 25 per cent of unsuccessful applications. The department advised ANAO that ʹcommensurate with investmentʹ reflects the IA committeeʹs views 138 As was noted in paragraph 2.74, the department has advised that it recorded the agreed details’ of projects in a spreadsheet during meetings and that this was provided to the delegate when considering whether applications should be funded. ANAO noted, however, that minutes supporting delegate decisions make no reference to the spreadsheet or project outcomes. In this respect, ANAO identified that the agreed carbon emissions intensity levels recorded in the department’s spreadsheet did not align with those in funding agreements in 106 instances. The total value of these grants was 83 795 542. 139 Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit, Report 423: Review of Auditor-General’s Reports Numbers 39 2009–10 to 15 2010–11, Canberra, 4 July 2011, p. viii. ANAO Report No.11 2014–15 The Award of Grants under the Clean Technology Program