But neighbouring councils slam costly "oppressive and pointless auditing regime"
“Hounslow performs well, and is improving the services important to people,” according to the Audit Commission’s new council ratings.
The Commission’s findings, published today, 9th December 2009, mean that the council has achieved a three-star rating under the new Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA).
Cllr Peter Thompson, leader of Hounslow Council, said, “This new CAA regime is a tougher test than the previous one, so I am pleased that we have been awarded a three-star rating, and that key areas such as Adult Social Care and Children’s Services have been highlighted as areas that are performing to a high standard.”
However, neighouring councils Hammersmith & Fulham (H&F) and Wandsworth are not as pleased stating that 'endless hours have been wasted serving the commission’s new Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA)'.
Last year a huge amount of management time – equivalent to £200,000 per authority was spent on providing the Audit Commission with information. In addition, the Commission charged each council more than £100,000 for ‘inspection costs’.
Both Hammersmith and Fulham and Wandsworth are among the highest performers in the country with Wandsworth having the lowest council tax in Britain. The two councils say the costly and bureaucratic nature of complying with Audit Commission demands is not a good use of taxpayers’ money in an age when budgets are being squeezed. They argue that the oppressive and pointless CAA regime hinders councils’ ability to deliver leaner and better quality services.
The National Audit Office estimates that the overall cost of monitoring local government is in the region of £2 billion each year.
December 9, 2009
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