R2-35

The relevant departments should ensure that TECs and LECs are subject to the full weight of public sector audit, but that as far as possible a single external auditor should be responsible for all aspects of public audit. The framework to achieve this should be devised in consultation with the national auditing agencies and other relevant bodies. Registered housing associations Registered housing associations are voluntary bodies which are major suppliers of social rented housing. They are regulated by and receive grants from the Housing Corporation, Scottish Homes, or Tai Cymru, but also receive substantial private funding. In some areas local authorities have transferred their entire housing stock to housing associations formed for that purpose. Housing associations are well-regulated and generally well-run. They have themselves examined their governance and produced new codes of practice. They need to pay particular attention to securing genuine tenant involvement and to improving accountability through membership schemes. The regulators need to publish more information about their regulatory activities.