2 June 2011
Eugene Sullivan, Audit Commission Chief Executive, said:
‘As Grant Shapps said, we have been working closely with the Department on options to externalise the work of the in-house audit practice. We have agreed to the Permanent Secretary’s request to start preparatory work for the potential outsourcing with effect from 2012/13 audits.
'We have been asked to design a procurement process that allows a range of firms to bid, including the possibility of an in-house bid, which could form the basis of a new and distinctive provider in the market, possibly a mutual.’
Copies of DCLG's news release and the letter it has sent to council chief executives are now available on the Department’s website.