Local government, housing and community safety

The proposed work programme and scales of fees for local government, housing and community safety (PDF, 298kb) consultation document proposes significant reductions in audit fees of between 5 and 20 per cent, reflecting both the new approach to local VFM audit work and a reduction in the ongoing audit costs associated with the introduction of IFRS. The proposed scale of fees for each audited local government, housing and community safety body are also available.

In relation to 2010/11 fees, the Commission will rebate:

• 1.5 per cent of the 2010/11 scale fee for district councils, police and fire and rescue authorities; and
• 3.5 per cent for single tier and county councils.

Health

The proposed work programme and scales of fees for health (PDF, 247kb) consultation proposes significant reductions in audit fees of between 5 and 20 per cent, reflecting the new approach to local VFM audit work outlined, changes in PCT responsibilities and pressure on management costs for SHAs and PCTs. The proposed scale of fees for each audited health body are also available.

In relation to 2010/11 fees, the Commission will rebate:

• 2 per cent of the scale fee for large PCTs (which had already received a reduction of 8 per cent in their scale fee);
• 5 per cent for small PCTs;
• 10 per cent for strategic health authorities; and
• There will be no rebate for NHS trusts as the approach to Auditor's Local Evaluation (ALE) in 2009/10 was already more focused.

We plan to publish the final scales of fees for 2011/12 by the end of February 2011.

Auditors' local value for money work

From 2010/11 there will be a new, more focused approach to local value for money audit work. Details on how these approaches will apply to different bodies with the Commission's regime are available below.