News from Surrey Labour

Surrey’s applause for Audit Commission closure not surprising says Labour

It is hardly surprising that Conservatives in Surrey and at National level welcome the closure of the Audit Commission – the independent watchdog has been Surrey County Council’s fiercest critic.

Only because of The Audit Commission’s thorough investigation of Surrey’s Children’s Department did we discover that it ranked as one of the fourth worst in its care of vulnerable children in the country. Despite this Surrey only managed to drag its standard of care up to “adequate” for one of the wealthiest Counties in England.

Despite this Tim Hall the councillor in charge of change and efficiency for the Surrey County Executive attempts to blame Labour for Surrey’s long list of identified failures highlighted by the Audit Commission. It appears from his comment that Councillor Hall welcomes Surrey Council taxpayers having no objective analysis of how their money is being spent.

The change will mean that Surrey will employ private auditors who will no doubt temper their appraisal of Surrey’s performance with an eye on being re-employed by the County. They will lack the authority for their reports enjoyed by The Audit Commission.

Outside of Surrey grave doubts arise as to who is going to report objectively on Surrey’s Hospital Trusts and Primary Care Trusts prior to their closure.

The real suspicion is that Eric Pickles the Communities Minister is more concerned with vengeance against the Audit Commission for uncovering the votes for homes in Westminster corruption of Lady Shirley Porter shortly after it was established in 1984.

Other news from Surrey Labour

• Surrey Heath Tories forced into climb down on community meals - 12 January 2012
• Concern grows about pressure on schools to become Academies by "ideological" Gove - 8 January 2012
• NHS cuts in Surrey show Cameron's promises are empty - 8 January 2012