Open house: exceptional building, historic documents and explanation of the Court of Audit’s work
With a history of 200 years and its location in a monumental building on Lange Voorhout in the centre of The Hague, the Court of Audit is well worth visiting on Saturday 13 September. Between 10 am and 4 pm, the building with two faces will be open to everyone who wants to see the Court of Audit from the inside and learn about its history and how it goes about its day to day audit work. Several historically important documents will be on display and a Budget Day Quiz will be held.
Like several other government institutions, the Court of Audit is celebrating its 200th anniversary in 2014. The open house on 13 September is one of the many events being organised to mark the bicentennial. The open house is part of National Heritage Day, which will be celebrated at many places along the route taken by the Golden Coach when the King presents the 200th budget. There will be something very special to see for both young and old.
Guided tour of historical and modern architectural treasures
Guided tours will be provided of the building. The historical part on Lange Voorhout has been the Court of Audit’s home since 1868. Room 1814 contains portraits of members of the Royal House, including the special portrait of King Willem-Alexander made out of coins. Designed by architect Aldo van Eyck, the contemporary, colourful part of the building was taken into service in 1997 and has been thoroughly renovated in the past year. This part of the complex cannot be seen from Lange Voorhout. Guided tours will give you a taste of its own unique character.
Historical documents from the National Archives
To mark the occasion several historical document from the National Archives will be on display at the Court of Audit. One will be the Speech from the Throne that Queen Wilhelmina read out in 1898. The programme to open the States General at the start of the 1898 parliamentary year will also be on display, as will the Court of Audit’s annual report for 1926. At that time the Court published just one report a year. Today it publishes dozens. Another historical document will be the Government Accounts Act of 1927 signed by Queen Wilhelmina. The Court of Audit’s tasks are laid down in the Constitution and elaborated upon in the Government Accounts Act: to examine the expenditures and receipts of central government and determine whether central government has implemented its policies as it had intended. The Government Accounts Act is still in force today. The current version dates from 2001, although it has been amended in certain areas and the Minister of Finance is currently considering a thorough revision.
Explanation of the Court of Audit’s work then and now
Anyone who wants to know what the Court of Audit actually does can find out on 13 September. Members of staff will explain how recent audits were carried out to determine whether taxes are spent efficiently and effectively. Information will also be provided on the special websites dedicated to auditing central government’s accounts and on the transparency of NATO. You can also learn how you can help in the current audit of the quality of school buildings, and view the images of developments on and around the High Speed Rail Line South.
As a High Council of State, the Court of Audit is well known for its presentation of Accountability Day on the third Wednesday in May, but it is also involved in Budget Day on the third Tuesday in September. Come and learn all about the Court of Audit on Saturday 13 September at Lange Voorhout 8 in The Hague.