Citizens' right to inspect council finances to be spotlighted

Open book government!?

THE GOVERNMENT is to introduce new transparency rules which will require councils to publicise to the press and public the "little-known rights" to inspect councils' detailed financial accounts, ledgers and records.

This move, announced by the Communities and Local Government Department yesterday, is designed to increase scrutiny of councils' spending decisions by armchair auditors and local investigative journalists.

Every year councils are required to open their accounting records for public inspection and challenge over a set time period. Yet the public often do not realise that these citizens' rights include checking not just the accounts but also "all books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers and receipts related to them". These rights allow the public to check any spending under the £500 online transparency thresholds.

Councils will have to publicise these rights and where and when they can be carried out - and where on Council websites the relevant information is.

Eric Pickles MP, DCLG Secretary of State said:

"An open Government is vital for good democracy and that's why councils have to open their ledgers to the public - everyone has a right to know how their taxes are spent. But it's not enough to just publish them quietly, armchair auditors and local journalists need to know exactly where to find that information and these new changes will make sure they are not just out in the open but under the spotlight too."

Read the full press release on the DCLG website.

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Opportunity to influence East Riding Council Policy

GETTING INVOLVED IN 'SCRUTINY' - Do you want the chance to influence East Riding of Yorkshire Council policy and help examine Council and other services?

The Council’s Overview and Scrutiny committees could provide you with the opportunity. 

• These committees support the work of the Council as a whole and can produce recommendations and reports offering advice on policies, budgets and service delivery. 
• They focus on strategic issues affecting residents and visitors to the East Riding. 
• They can also make recommendations to the local NHS, Police and other key organisations in the East Riding. 

The Council’s overview and scrutiny function is made up of eight committees that are part of the Council’s democratic decision-making structure. Since May 2010 the committees have looked at a wide range of issues including: winter gritting, farming and agriculture, links between employers and schools, children’s centres, carers’ support, flooding and dementia. 

The Council is seeking new topics to scrutinise and are encouraging people to tell them what they ought to be investigating.

A Council spokesperson said: "We really want to make sure that we look at topics of interest to our residents  We want to hear your thoughts on policies that could be improved to meet our residents’ needs." 

Please note that overview and scrutiny committees cannot consider:- 

• Individual service complaints - The Council complaints procedure should be used. 
• Planning and licensing issues - They are submitted to the relevant planning or licensing committee unless it is as part of a policy review. 
• Matters where there is a judicial process underway - for example if there is a court case pending. 

To submit your proposals, please contact the overview and scrutiny team leader. You can write to County Hall, Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire, HU17 9BA or email scrutiny@eastriding.gov.uk by 5 January 2011.

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