Town Council members are required to formally disclose pecuniary interests of both themselves and their spouses in line with the Localism Act 2011. The Act requires that members disclose details of employment, property ownership, contract or tenancies with the council, sponsorship, or shareholding.
Local councils in England with an annual turnover of £6.5 million or less must complete an annual return in accordance with proper practices summarising their activities at the end of each financial year. This must be approved no later than 30 June.
Basically stated, proper practices mean that to inform taxpayers, local councils must prepare a report on their activities for the year, which is externally audited and then published. External audit remains an essential element in accounting for public money. It makes an important contribution to the stewardship...
