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In 2015, following lobbying by big 4 audit firms, @David_Cameron & @EricPickles killed off the #localgov Audit Commission, creating what @TransparencyUK described as an "enabling environment for corruption" https://www.transparency.org.uk/publications/corruption-uk-local-government-mounting-risks #wallpapergate
The loss of the Audit Commission removed independent public oversight of #localgov audit & financial decision making, placing it in the hands of the big 4 audit firms, Grant Thornton & BDO, who had been busy greasing the wheels of the UK
Govt https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/jul/10/lobbying #corruption
Govt https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/jul/10/lobbying #corruption
To replace the anti-fraud, & investigatory functions of the #localgov Audit Commission @EricPickles proposed empowering citizen "armchair auditors" to hold their local council to account for spending not in the public interest https://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/blog/2011/jun/06/armchair-auditing-nao-scrutiny
Today @Research_Act published 'Democracy Denied' which outlines the experiences of citizen auditors in 45 #localgov councils across the UK. None of the issues they flagged have been acted on by auditors, who have blocked all avenues for legal challenge https://twitter.com/Research_Act/status/1387327006367440896?s=20
. None of the issues they flagged have been acted on by auditors, who have blocked all avenues for legal challenge https://twitter.com/Research_Act/status/1387327006367440896?s=20
The report, by @Research_Act, claims councils & #localgov auditors ‘obstructed’ attempts to hold them to account, were ‘painfully slow’ to respond to objections &, in the cases considered, not a single public interest report or court referral was made https://www.themj.co.uk/Report-shows-accountability-vacuum-in-council-finances/220354
