Commentary on Sections Part 2 –Standards Other functions Section 82: Studies as to economy, efficiency etc.
202.Section 82 replicates, for the CSCI, the powers that sections 33 and 34 of the Audit Commission Act 1998 give to the Audit Commission with respect to local authority social services.
203.Subsection (1) provides for the CSCI to carry out studies designed to enable it to make recommendations for improving economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the provision of local authority social services, and for improving the management of social services. These provisions will enable the CSCI to carry out value for money studies in a local authority’s area. Where there are studies looking at the performance of an individual local authority’s social services, or where there is a national study into one particular aspect of social service provision, these will be carried out by the CSCI.
204.The Audit Commission will retain powers enabling it to carry out studies of local authority social services. However, although this will mean that the functions of the Audit Commission and CSCI will overlap, it is envisaged that in practice they will exercise them in different circumstances. It is envisaged that in the future the CSCI will carry out studies that focus specifically on social services, calling on the assistance of the Audit Commission where necessary. Where the primary focus of a study is on local authority services other than social services, it is envisaged that such studies will be carried out by the Audit Commission, calling on the assistance of CSCI where necessary. Subsection (5) provides that CSCI must provide the National Audit Office with any material relevant to such a study.