Powers Of The Audit Commission

EDM number 1002 in 2005-06, proposed by Bob Russell on 11/11/2005.

That this House recognises that the Audit Commission is an independent body responsible for ensuring that public money is spent economically, efficiently and effectively; regrets, however, that its powers do not allow it to comment upon nor challenge property valuations which a local authority has obtained from a qualified valuer, particulary when the person is employed by the local authority; cites as an example the purchase by Colchester Borough Council of a property at auction for £755,000 and its subsequent sale privately to a developer for £650,000; and urges the Government to amend the Audit Commission Act to enable the Audit Commission, in situations where concerns have been raised, to obtain a valuation from two other valuers so that it can be satisfied that public money is being spent economically, efficiently and effectively.

This motion has been signed by a total of 15 MPs.