Transparency

Financial Accounts

• Accounting Statements

  Accounting statements show the cash balance, precept, staff costs and other income and expenditure for the last accounting year.

• Annual Governance Statements

  The Annual Governance Statement is a document signed by the council confirming whether it conforms to certain financial, accounting and auditing measures.

• Annual Internal Audits

  The Annual Internal Audit is a signed checklist showing whether certain aspects of the council running has been internally reviewed, and whether the council conforms.

• Bank Reconciliations

  Bank Reconciliations show whether the council's bank account statements match the accounting cashbook at the end of the financial year.

• Budget and Precept 2025/26

  The Council's agreed Budget and Precept for 2025/26

• Certificate of Exemptions

  Certificates of Exemptions are created if a local council is below the £25,000 threshold for expenditure. This forms part of the AGAR.

• CIL Reports

  This document shows payments to local authorities for new developments in the local area

• Conclusion of Audit

  This is a document confirming that the accounts for the last accounting year have been published.

• External Audit Reports

  This is a certificate signed by an external auditor after a review of the AGAR.

• Notice of Public Rights

  This is a document explaining the rights the public have in being able to inspect the council's annual accounts.

• Variances

  This shows whether income or expenditure has gone up or down between two accounting years.

General Policies and Publications

• Asset Register

  Details of the council's owned assets.

• Councillor Code of Conduct

  This is a document explaining the role and expected conduct of Councillors.

Data Policies

• Accessibility Statement

  A web accessibility statement is an information page on your website that clearly states the level of web accessibility to which the website aims to conform.

• Freedom of Information Act

  This publication scheme commits an authority to make information available to the public as part of its normal business activities.

• Privacy Policy

  A privacy policy is a statement or legal document that discloses some or all of the ways a party gathers, uses, discloses, and manages a customer or client's data.

• Document Retention

  Policy detailing the council's responsibilities for retaining certain documents, and how long they should be retained.

Statutory Documents

• Standing Orders and Financial Regulations

  Written rules for the local council, confirming the procedures and procedural matters for meetings.

Commitments & Pledges

• Civility and Respect Pledge

  This details whether the council has signed the Civility and Respect pledge. This is a project between NALC, SLCC and OVW to help councils show their zero tolerance for bullying, harassment and intimidation in local councils.