28 Our report draws on three principal sources of data:
• Fourty-three audit reports on various aspects of partnership working, from 2001-04. Many of these reports addressed the practice in local authorities as they set up and developed partnerships.
• Forty-one interviews and 17 focus group discussions with public and voluntary sector representatives working in different partnerships in 47 locations (Appendix 1). The focus of the fieldwork was on how local public bodies addressed cross-cutting issues such as strategic development and regeneration, health and social care and crime through partnerships.
• The annual Auditor Survey for 2003/04 - data on the 388 local authorities; 303 PCTs; 271 acute and mental health trusts; 28 strategic health authorities (SHAs); 69 police and fire authorities and 38 probation services, for which the Audit Commission is responsible.
29 Mark Wardman and Irene Vaughan from the Audit Commission undertook the research for this study. Angela Watson Associates carried out additional analysis of the Commission's reports into partnerships. The Commission wishes to thank the members of local authorities, PCTs, police forces, fire services and the voluntary sector representatives who participated in the fieldwork.