It's Your Right to Know

The Local Government (Accounts & Audit) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006



This statutory instrument gives local taxpayers and electors the same rights to access and copy financial files as the rest of the UK, with one difference.

Local taxpayers and electors in the Province enjoy a right to peruse and copy contracts, bills, receipts, deeds and financial books for 20 days each year.

In England, Wales and Scotland, councils and police authorities choose the dates, but in Northern Ireland the 20 day period is fixed by the external audit service.

Taxpayers and voters have a legal right to question auditors and lodge formal objections to the accounts. It is a criminal offence for a council to withhold information which should be open to public scrutiny.

Unitary councils in Northern Ireland must publicise the dates, at least 14 days before the inspection period.

Unlike in the rest of the UK, the province's policing board is not part of the local government system. The board's annual accounts are subject to a separate legal and auditing procedure, handled by the Comptroller and Auditor General.

For guidance, contact Orchard News Bureau Ltd.

London & Regional Updates
The 2010-2011 accounts of major local authorities were open to public inspection last summer. For additional information relating to unitary, metropolitan and shire counties etc. (copies of relevant notices and links to relevant websites), check the links below Information on the 2011-2012 accounts will be posted soon.

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All Principal UK Authorities


ENGLAND
London Borough Councils

Metropolitan Councils

County Councils

Unitary Councils

Metropolitan Police Authorities

Other Police Authorities


WALES
Unitary Councils

Police Authorities


SCOTLAND
Unitary Councils

Police Boards


N. IRELAND
Unitary Councils

ONB Briefings


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