Twenty nine of England's parish councils have failed to meet their responsibilities because they have not reported how they have used and protected taxpayers' money. That is the verdict of the District Auditor in an unprecedented number of public interest reports published simultaneously this week.
The Parish Councils are in:
- Cheshire - Beeston, Ollerton with Marthall, Siddington.
- Cornwall - Altarnum, Davidstow; Michaelstow, Warbstow.
- Derbyshire - Alkmonton and Hungry Bentley, Ballidon and Bradbourne.
- Devon - Ashreigny, Clyst Hydon, East Anstey, Mamhead, Shaugh Prior, Stoke Rivers, Templeton, Washfield.
- Kent - Manston, Molash, Sellindge.
- Lincolnshire - Cadney cum Howsham.
- Staffordshire - Ramshorn,Wiggington and Hopwas.
- Yorkshire - Atwick, Bewholme, Bishop Burton, Burton Pidsea, Skipsea, Welton.
The reports say that the councils have 'failed in an important statutory duty' by not producing an annual return for the financial year to 31 March 2011. More importantly, they 'failed to account to council taxpayers for the use and safeguarding of their money'.
District Auditor Jackie Bellard said:
'People in these parishes have the right to know how their local taxes have been used by their councils. Despite my repeated requests, these councils have failed to submit their annual returns. This should not happen again.'
The annual return:
- summarises the Council's financial performance;
- gives assurances that the Council has a robust system of internal control in place to protect public funds; and
- reports the work of the internal auditor employed to check that the systems of internal control work.
The reports must be considered by the councils in public within a month, when the councils must decide what action to take in response to the recommendations.
Notes to editors
- The duties and powers of auditors appointed by the Audit Commission are set out in the Audit Commission Act 1998 and the Local Government Act 1999 and the Commission's statutory Code of Audit Practice.
- Appointed auditors act quite separately from the Commission and are required to exercise their professional judgement independently of both the Commission and the audited body.
- Under Section 8 of the Audit Commission Act 1998, the appointed auditors are required to consider whether to issue a report in the public interest, on any significant matter coming to their notice in the course of an audit, to bring it to the notice of the audited body and the public.
- The Audit Commission is a public corporation set up in 1983 to protect the public purse.
- The Commission appoints auditors to councils, NHS bodies (excluding NHS Foundation trusts), police authorities and other local public services in England, and oversees their work.
- We also help public bodies manage the financial challenges they face by providing authoritative, unbiased, evidence-based analysis and advice.
- In August 2010, the government announced plans to disband the Audit Commission and put in place new arrangements for auditing England's local public bodies.
- The Commission is undertaking a procurement exercise to outsource the work of its in-house Audit Practice. Beginning in 2012/13, the Commission will award contracts of three to five years to private audit firms.
- The government is currently considering responses to its consultation on the 'future arrangements for local public audit' that are intended to replace the Audit Commission.
- The Audit Commission will continue to deliver audit programmes for health bodies in 2011/12 and 2012/13.
- Further details about the role of the Audit Commission can be obtained from www.audit-commission.gov.uk
- Copies of the Public Interest Reports are available from the Parish Councils or from the Audit Commission website.
For further information please contact:
Mark Nicholson Media Relations Manager,
Audit Commission Millbank Tower,
London SW1P 4HQ.
Direct line 0844 798 2135 / 0207 166 2135
24hr Press line 0844 798 2128
Mobile 07813 038132
E-mail: m-nicholson@audit-commission.gov.uk