It’s our right to check council accounts
EVERY year councils must open their accounting records for the previous financial year for members of the public to inspect.
The public can look at accounts over a set period of time (lasting 20 working days) usually after June, once the accounts have been finalised.
People have the right to review the councils’ accounts and also all books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers and receipts related to them.
This means that people can look at information without having to submit Freedom of Information (FOI) Act requests.
Councils have to make it clear on their websites when their accounts can be checked by the public.
SAM SNOOK, local campaigner, Eastleigh.
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