Austin Macauley 31 January 2014

Local audit regime ushered in by new laws

New legislation allowing local people to veto excessive council tax rises has now come into force.

The Local Audit and Accountability Act paves the way for a new local audit framework, which the government says will ‘sweep away the old top-down regime and offer greater responsibility and choice for local bodies’.

It signals the end of the Audit Commission in a move that is expected to create £1.2bn of savings.

The Act strengthens publicity code for local authorities – a move designed to protect local media from unfair competition by council newspapers and ensure continued ‘robust scrutiny’ by the press. It also gives members of the public and the media the right to film and use social media at local government meetings.

‘This important new law will pass power down to people and replace old fashioned bureaucracy with local choice and transparency,’ said local government secretary, Eric Pickles. ‘The £1.2bn of savings we will be making will help reduce the inherited national deficit for the benefit of hard working taxpayers.’

Sue Higgins, executive leader for local government at the National Audit Office – which will set public audit standards – said: ‘The challenge now for all those with a role to play in the new local audit framework is to manage the transition to the new arrangements, and government will need to ensure they work in practice.

‘We are committed to building upon the strong foundation provided by the Audit Commission in taking on our new responsibilities. We are already experienced in testing value for money across the whole of the public sector, national and local. We will continue to develop that programme as we take on our new local audit role.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Principal Transport Planner (Strategy)

North Northamptonshire Council
£46,731-£49,764
We are looking for an experienced professional to join North Northamptonshire Council as a Principal Transport Planner (Strategy). Sheerness House, 41 Meadow Road, Kettering moving to Haylock House, Kettering Parkway, Kettering NN15 6EY, United Kingdom
Recuriter: North Northamptonshire Council

Highways Capital Delivery Manager

South Wales Trunk Road Agent
£50,788 - £52,805
To be responsible for the implementation of Welsh Government’s Renewal and Upgrade programme. Baglan, Port Talbot
Recuriter: South Wales Trunk Road Agent

Senior Engineer x 2

Hounslow London Borough Council
£47,532 –£55,620 per annum
Our people are deeply committed to providing excellent services to our residents, doing all we can to make lives as good as they can be. Hounslow (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recuriter: Hounslow London Borough Council

Part Time Prison Library Assistant - HMP/YOI Chelmsford

Essex County Council
£25081.00 - £27653.00 per annum + Pro Rata
Part Time Prison Library Assistant - HMP/YOI ChelmsfordFixed Term, Part Time£25,081 to £27,653 Per Annum, Full Time EquivalentLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Head of SEN Assessment & Resolution

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
£77136 - £88230 per annum
Shape a fairer future for children with special educational needs.As Head of SEN Assessment and Resolution at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chel England, London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Linkedin Banner