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Helmdon Parish Council

Transparency – how the council operates

Transparency Code

The Transparency Code is issued to meet the Government’s desire to place more power into citizens’ hands to increase democratic accountability. Transparency gives local people the tools and information they need to hold local public bodies to account.

In December 2014 the government issued the Transparency Code for smaller authorities, designed to meet the Government’s need for greater transparency for public bodies. It applies to all Parish Councils with an annual turnover of less than £25,000 and requires the following documents to be published regularly:

  • full agenda for formal meetings no later than 3 clear days before the meeting
  • draft minutes of formal meetings no later than 1 month after the meeting
  • details of every item of spending of £100 or more showing the date, purpose and amount: this information is detailed in the Finance Report and minutes of each meeting.

All of the above documents can be accessed in the Meetings section of this website. For each financial year the Council must also publish:

  • the Notice of Public Rights
  • all items of expenditure above £100
  • the end of year accounts
  • the signed Annual Internal Audit Report
  • the signed Annual Governance Statement
  • the signed Annual Accounting Statements
  • the Explanation of Variances
  • the Bank Reconciliation
  • the signed Certificate of Exemption or Notice for Completion of Audit from the External Auditor
  • Names of all Councillors and their responsibilities within the council.

This information must be published electronically by 1st July each year. It is available in the Transparency section of this website.

Helmdon Parish Council Transparency Policy is attached.

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