What we did
The importance of rebalancing the economy, environmental sustainability and strong neighbourhoods is recognised by the Government, councils and the communities they represent.
Since 1989, the Commission has periodically completed major studies on economic and environmental issues. In 2000 we began to assess individual councils' service performance as part of our best value inspection programme. The Audit Commission was the only regulator with powers to inspect the quality of service provision for economic and environmental services in local authorities.
Environment issues that we assessed included planning, public spaces, transport, and waste management. Transport issues such as accessibility, alternatives to the car (public transport, walking and cycling) and reductions in congestion were assessed.
In 2002 we introduced the Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) for single tier and county councils and we assessed and scored environmental services as part of the CPA framework:
We also carried out a diagnostic assessment of public space as part of the CPA framework for district councils which we introduced in 2003.
In 2005 we published a new inspection framework and we also published documents setting out key lines of enquiry (KLOE) for different types of services inspection.
In 2005 we also published CPA: the harder test framework. Under this framework, we assessed council’s approach to sustainable communities. This enabled us to explore the links the council was making between economic development, environmental and social issues. We looked at how well the council was:
- promoting and supporting a sustainable local economy, helping secure jobs and wealth;
- addressing the area’s housing requirements and housing needs;
- delivering a quality environment now and promoting and supporting sustainable lifestyles to ensure environmental quality for future generations; and
- using the transport system, and where applicable the planning system, to increase the opportunities all sectors of the community have to access work and important services, without need for a car.
From 2008 onwards the focus shifted, with the recession, to economic development.
2007/08 also saw the strengthening of the Audit Commission's approach to sustainability, which in 2009/10 became an underpinning theme in Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA) methodology (see pages 30 to 33 of the CAA guidance for inspectorate staff 2010).
Inspection results
All inspection reports for councils published between 2000 and 2011 are available.
What we learnt
We have published a series of national reports on environmental and economic issues.
Through our inspections we identified examples of innovation, good practice and case studies. This encouraged learning across local government and helped practitioners to drive up the quality and efficiency of local services.