Local government content from the Audit Commission, an independent watchdog, driving economy, efficiency and effectiveness in local public services.http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/en-gbCopyright 2012, Audit Commission.webmaster@audit-commission.gov.ukhttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/PublishingImages/Template/logo_print.gifhttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/localgov/nationalstudies/Pages/WorkinProgress_copy.aspxThe Audit Commission and Local Government Association joint report 'Work in progress: Meeting local needs with lower workforce costs'.07 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/localgov/nationalstudies/Pages/joininguphealthandsocialcare_copy.aspxOur latest briefing has found significant differences in the types of care received by people aged 65 and over across the country. 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/localgov/nationalstudies/Pages/toughtimes_copy.aspxThe Audit Commission has published Tough times, a new report looking at councils’ responses to a challenging financial climate.17 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/localgov/nationalstudies/Pages/ppp2011_copy.aspxEngland's councils have succeeded in detecting £185 million worth of fraud, an improvement of 37 per cent on last year's figure of £135 million. This is equivalent to a year's funding for around 700 libraries or the wages of up to 11,000 care workers.10 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/localgov/goodpractice/benefits/workingwithcustomers/Pages/bradfordmetroworkingwithcustomers.aspxBradford has developed a more customer-focused service in response to the findings of our inspection. 26 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/localgov/goodpractice/financialmgmt/Pages/Default.aspxFinancial management good practice and case studies 09 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/localgov/goodpractice/partnership/Pages/Default.aspxPartnership good practice and case studies09 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/localgov/goodpractice/sustainablecommunities/Pages/Default.aspxSustainable communities good practice and case studies09 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/localgov/goodpractice/userfocusdiversity/Pages/Default.aspxUser focus and diversity good practice and case studies02 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/localgov/nationalstudies/Pages/vfmadultsocialcare_copy.aspxThis briefing looks at value for money in adult social care, and considers what councils might do to provide better, more efficient services. 02 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/localgov/nationalstudies/Pages/20110526goingthedistance_copy.aspxThis national report looks at what councils can do to get more for their money in road maintenance, in the face of increasing traffic, severe winters, higher costs, and dwindling highways funding. 26 May 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/localgov/Pages/finalaccounts2011.aspxCourse materials from our 2011 final accounts workshops for local government, community safety and fire and rescue organisations.15 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/localgov/nationalstudies/againsttheodds/neetdistribution/Pages/Default.aspxIn support of our 'Against the Odds' study, we have produced maps detailing the changes in the distribution of young people not in education, employment or training over time.03 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/localgov/nationalstudies/againsttheodds/neetdistribution/Pages/NEETpercentage2009_copy.aspxThe percentage of young people aged 16-19 not in education, employment or training in 2009.03 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/localgov/nationalstudies/againsttheodds/neetdistribution/Pages/proportionofNEET_copy.aspxMost areas have reduced the proportion of young people who are NEET over the period, although more local areas saw an increase in NEETs than in the previous period. 03 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/localgov/nationalstudies/againsttheodds/neetdistribution/Pages/unemployedpercentage_copy.aspxPercentage of unemployed 18-24 year olds (2009)03 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/localgov/nationalstudies/againsttheodds/neetdistribution/Pages/unemployedyoungpeople_copy.aspxChanges in the distribution of unemployed young people aged 18-24 between 2007 and 2009.03 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/localgov/nationalstudies/personalbudgets/Pages/default_copy.aspxWe examine personal budgets - an allocation of money given to a person to spend on an adult social care support plan - and consider the financial management and governance implications for councils.28 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/localgov/nationalstudies/protectingpublicpurse/Pages/Default_copy.aspxWe describe developments in the field of fraud prevention since 2009, report the findings from our recent fraud survey, and identify more fraud risks.27 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/localgov/nationalstudies/underpressure/Pages/financeimprovementtool_copy.aspxFollowing our ‘Under Pressure’ study, we have developed a finance improvement tool to help councils respond to the financial challenges of an ageing population and identify scope for improvement.16 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT