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Audit commission - Encouraging start for the greener Audit Commission

2 Sep 2009 05:09 PM

The Audit Commission has made a 'solid start' in becoming a greener organisation and ensuring that local public services are now assessed on their sustainability.

In the Review of Public Service Regulators (external link), a report from the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC), the Audit Commission is assessed alongside other regulators and is praised for being a 'leader among its peers'.

The Audit Commission is commended for the way it has made sustainable development an underpinning principle of the new Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA), which judges local public services on how they serve residents.

The SDC also commends the Audit Commission for reducing its ecological footprint, including a notable drop in staff car usage.

Michael O'Higgins, Chairman of the Audit Commission, said:
'Sustainable development is a high priority for us and that's reflected in this new report from the SDC. We welcome the report and although it's clear we're making great strides to become a greener organisation, there is obviously more to do.

We have made it clear to councils and their partners, through the development of CAA, that greener working is no longer a 'nice-to-have' but a crucial element of any area's future success. But we have to make sure we're taking our own medicine, which is why we are challenging our own business to improve our green credentials.'

The Audit Commission will provide more guidance and insight into sustainable development in local government with the publication of a national study later this year, looking at CO2 emissions from domestic energy use.

Three public service regulators are the subjects of the review: the Audit Commission; Ofsted; and the Healthcare Commission/Care Quality Commission.

Notes to editors

  1. The Audit Commission recently signed the Nottingham Declaration (external link) .
  2. Read more about the Comprehensive Area Assessment.
  3. The Sustainable Development Commission is the government's independent advisory body on sustainable development.
  4. The Audit Commission is an independent watchdog, driving economy, efficiency and effectiveness in local public services to deliver better outcomes for everyone.
  5. Our work across local government, health, housing, community safety and fire and rescue services means that we have a unique perspective. We promote value for money for taxpayers, auditing the £200 billion spent by 11,000 local public bodies.
  6. As a force for improvement, we work in partnership to assess local public services and make practical recommendations for promoting a better quality of life for local people.

For further information please contact:
Jemima Broadbridge
Media Relations Manager
020 7166 2264 or 07791 371155
j-broadbridge@audit-commission.gov.uk