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Breaking: Court of Auditors flags structural deficit at SCET, a CDC subsidiary

In late 2025, a sweeping assessment by the Court of Auditors delivered a sharply critical verdict on SCET (Services Conseil Expertise Territoires), a 100% subsidiary of the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC) under Banque des Territoires. The watchdog highlighted a persistent structural deficit, questions over mission scope, and the need for stronger management governance.

The report analyzes the 2016–2024 period and notes a deficit of 4.2 million euros in 2024. It also calls for a clearer definition of SCET’s missions and reinforced management controls to ensure the association can deliver its consulting and support services to local authorities and public enterprises.

The leadership of SCET is undergoing a transition as its general manager, Romain Lucazeau, left the post at the end of 2025, concurrent with a broader merger process with HTC. The ongoing integration aims to consolidate public-territory advisory services, but it also places greater emphasis on governance during the transition.

Overview: SCET’s role and meaning

SCET serves as a pivotal adviser to local authorities and public companies, offering consulting, expertise, and operational support for territorial projects. As a CDC-owned entity linked to Banque des Territoires, its performance is closely watched as part of public-sector governance and accountability efforts.

findings at a glance

Three core themes emerge from the Court’s findings: a structural deficit that persisted through 2024, the need for clearly defined missions, and the imperative to strengthen management oversight to ensure effective service delivery.

Leadership change and ongoing merger

The departure of the general manager at year-end 2025 coincides with the ongoing consolidation with HTC. Stakeholders stress that governance and integration measures must keep pace with the merger to maintain service continuity for client authorities.

Table: Quick facts

evergreen insights: governance and public-territory advisory

Audits of public advisory bodies such as SCET underscore the essential need for precise mission scoping, obvious budgeting, and robust governance. While mergers can streamline services, they demand careful integration to preserve accountability and service quality for local authorities.

As demand for specialized territorial advisories grows, entities like SCET must align strategic aims with transparent cost management and measurable performance outcomes. Strengthening governance at both board and executive levels helps safeguard public investment programs in the longer term.

Two reader questions

1) which governance measures should public advisory entities prioritize to prevent recurring deficits?

2) Do mergers among public-sector consultancies enhance continuity or create new accountability challenges?

Disclaimer: Financial details reflect oversight findings and should be interpreted within the broader context of public-sector reporting standards.

For more context, consult official materials from the court of Auditors and the CDC’s public governance resources.