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The Commission began in 1983
You may not believe it, but I worked for the Audit Commission for 25 years from before its inception in 1983 until recently. My first job there was to set up the finance department for the new organisation - pretty much out of nothing. After that project, I was kept on, and you can guess the rest.
Brilliant concept
I enjoyed working for the Commission, though of course as always there were some funny times when you had to grit your teeth and keep going. But the quality staff I worked with, both Commission and clients - councils, police, health service, fire, ambulance, waste and all sorts of other public bodies - were almost 100% high quality public servants. That's why they were where they were. The Commission had a great vision and raison d'etre in my view, protecting the public purse from loss and waste in some of our largest as well as some of our smallest public bodies. You could find your self signing a balance sheet showing hundred of millions of pounds - sometimes even more; or convincing surgeons to change the way they use their theatres; or discussing with a Chief Constable the effectiveness of local units; or any one of countless ways to improve local services.
So why scrap it?
Of course, I have no information why the government wishes to scrap the Commission but I do have my own thoughts. Maybe it is not so much that the Commission lost its way, but rather that it came to the natural end of its existence. There is simply a limit to the number of ways you can scan organisations for more and more ways of slimming and shaping them for maximum impact and economy. We did that for 25 years - seeking economy, efficiency and effectiveness. I think many in the public sector felt that the e Commission's latest focus - comprehensive area assessment or CAA - was simply too complicated. In any case, the government had already stated that CAA would be axed. Without that element of value for money focus in the Commission, there is not perhaps a fully convincing argument for an independent body to oversee financial audits. But scrapping the Commission will not happen overnight - it may need an Act of Parliament to close it, as it did to start it. There is in addition a long cycle in the process of completing the audits of local authorities which could keep parts of the Commission busy for quite a while. I will not be happy though if as stated, public bodies choose their own auditors.
What are your views?
I would love to know your views on this important topic. We can even in small ways, help those affected by the changes. You may like to record your support, or prayers perhaps, for them. Feel free to challenge my views too. You can reply by using the response button at the foot of this page or by emailing me personally at steady@freeman.f2s.com.
When the ways of God are hidden from us
Actually, we are not in control of life! And we all know that there is a limited cycle of life for us all. But we do know we have a Lord and Saviour in Jesus who is always with us. He promised He would not leave us. He sent the Holy Spirit - a Person with all the characteristics of personality just like Jesus - to ensure we are 'comforted' in all our circumstances. Life without question, is hard. But He goes through it with us. And if the ways of God are hidden from us, as they will be today for instance for those who are facing the prospect of redundancy or any other of life's countless challenges, then that's all the more reason for each of us to put our trust in Him.
Let's hear a final word from Jesus
Jesus said (in my words): come to me all you who are weighed down, and I will give you rest. Let me be your partner in all you do - you'll find it really makes the going easier. I am humble by nature so, it will be OK going along with me, and you can learn about my ways as we go and the weight on your shoulders will feel a lot lighter.
Have a look at Matthew 12 v 28, 29 for the usual version!
Lots of love
Jeff
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