Prominent local government Tory, Merrick Cockell, has joined the board of the Audit Commission. Cllr Cockell is leader of Kensington & Chelsea RLBC, which he joined in 1986, and he took over as chair of London Councils in 2006. Michael O'Higgins, the Commission's chairman, said: ‘We are delighted to welcome to the board a leading councillor whose own local authority boasts a strong record in delivering effective, value for money public services.'