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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 & Accountability Return

The Annual Governance & Accountability Return (AGAR) is the document that is submitted by local councils presenting a summary of their audit and financial information.

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

Detailed report on the budget for a given financial year

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.

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.

Internal Audit Reports

This is a certificate presented after an internal audit of the council.

Internal Control Exception Reports

This is a report for when elements of the external audit has not been carried out. It may explain the causes and remedial action.

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.

CIL Reports

The report will set out how much revenue from CIL and planning obligations has been received, what it has been spent on and how much is left

Councillor Code of Conduct

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

Risk Assessments

These documents outline risk assessments carried out by the local council.

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.

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

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.

Declaration of Climate Emergency

Documents relating to whether the council has declared a climate emergency.

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