What we do

We appoint independent auditors to local government, health and criminal justice organisations, and regulate the work they do. Most of these auditors are employees of the Audit Commission. The rest come from private firms.

We also inspect public services and report back to the public on the results. Through inspections of local services we assess their quality and cost effectiveness, and help local authorities to continually improve.

In cases of serious underperformance by a local authority the Commission has the power to recommend that the Secretary of State use his or her discretion under section 15 of the Local Government Act 1999 to give direction to an authority, as set out in 'Best Value Audit and Inspection Referrals: Policy and Procedure'.

Inspection Reform: the Future of Local Services Inspection

This is the Audit Commission's response to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's consultation on 'Inspection Reform: the Future of Local Services Inspection'. We have welcomed the proposals which build on the successes of our approach to regulation over the last five years. This response also sets out our views on how the new public services regulation framework should be designed.

Local Services Inspection Response (PDF, 182Kb)

Further reading

Our Corporate Governance Framework lays down the necessary responsibilities and procedures that direct the way we work.