Embargoed until 09.00 hrs on Monday 12 February 2007

News Release

Housing Corporation and Audit Commission sign memorandum of understanding to strengthen working relationship
 
12 February 2007                                            Ref: 12/07
 
The Housing Corporation and Audit Commission have taken steps to further strengthen their working relationship by agreeing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

This is the third MoU between the Housing Corporation and the Audit Commission since the Commission took over responsibility for the inspection of housing associations in April 2003.  It has been prompted by the review, chaired by Sir Les Elton, of the regulatory and compliance requirements on housing associations

The MoU sets out how the two organisations will work together in regulating and inspecting housing associations. It outlines their arrangements for the management of their respective roles and responsibilities, and the key principles that will underpin their relationship.

For the first time, the MoU is supported by an annual work plan that describes the programme of joint work which has been agreed for 2007/8 in order to deliver the commitments set out in the MoU. It also details the priorities which have been applied to determine which associations are inspected in the forthcoming programme.

Housing Corporation Director of Regulation, Clare Miller said, "The Corporation and the Commission share a commitment to driving performance and increased efficiency within the housing association sector.

"We want to ensure that we get the very best from our resources through better targeting of our work and by working in partnership."

Roy Irwin, Chief Inspector of Housing for the Audit Commission said, “The Commission and the Corporation are committed to improving services provided by housing associations. This commitment is further cemented by the publication of the annual work plan setting out how we will meet our strategic objectives.”

Copies of the memorandum can be found at www.housingcorp.gov.uk or www.auditcommission.gov.uk.

For Housing Corporation media enquires contact:
Sandra White
Communications Officer
0207 393 2094

email: sandra.white@housingcorp.gsx.gov.uk

For Audit Commission media enquiries contact:
Chris Carrington
Media Manager
0207 166 2205
07970 245367
email: c-carrington@audit-commission.gov.uk

Ends.

Notes to editors:

• The Housing Corporation The Housing Corporation is the Government agency responsible for investing in new affordable homes and regulating over 1,500 housing associations across England.  Its biggest ever investment programme of £3.9 billion for 2006-08 will fund 84,000 homes; 49,000 of these will be for affordable rent, and 35,000 will be for affordable sale through the Government's new HomeBuy initiative, helping people to get a foot on the property ladder.

• The Audit Commission is an independent body responsible for ensuring that public money is spent economically, efficiently and effectively, to achieve high-quality local services for the public. Our remit covers around 11,000 bodies in England, which between them spend more than £180 billion of public money each year. Our work covers local government, health, housing, community safety and fire and rescue services.

• As an independent watchdog, we provide important information on the quality of public services. As a driving force for improvement in those services, we provide practical recommendations and spread best practice. As an independent auditor, we ensure that public services are good value for money and that public money is properly spent.  For further information about the Audit Commission, visit our website at www.audit-commission.gov.uk.