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.

• 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.

• Receipts and Payments
• Community Infrastructure Levy Reports
• Financial Regulations
• Precept Projections

Statutory Documents

• Standing Orders

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

General Policies and Publications

• Asset Register
• Attendance of council representatives at outside meetings policy
• Bribery & corruption policy
• Clerks appraisal policy
• Complaints Policy
• Council Minutes Policy
• Councillor Code of Conduct

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

• Councils communications with outside authorities policy
• Dispensation Policy
• Equality and diversity policy
• Flexible Working Policy
• Grievance Policy
• Health and Safety Policy
• Human Resources Policy
• Insurance and Risk Assessment Documents
• Memorial seat plaque policy
• Open forum and public speaking at council meetings policy
• Planning policy
• Press and media policy
• Public submission for agenda items policy
• Sickness & capability policy
• Social media usage policy
• Use of village green policy

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.

• Freedom of Information Policy

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.