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The rules governing
the public's rights to view and copy local authority files
are profiled in this section.
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Public
Access to Local Authority
Financial Information
Relating
to
METROPOLITAN DISTRICT COUNCILS IN
ENGLAND
Taxpayers
and local electors
are entitled to examine,
make notes and/or
take copies of the
following financial documents, held by local councils and police authorities,
at various times of the year.
The following files are available during:
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Unfortunately a red
cross indicates that the documents or files listed below
are not available for public audit inspection at this
time of the year. But you may still be able to request
extracts (in a more heavily censored form) under freedom
of information legislation.
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| Spreadsheet listings of council
expenditure (general description only) in excess of £500 |
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| Listing of salaried posts
(postholders unidentified) in excess of £50,000 P.A. |
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Details
of salaried executives (postholders identified) in excess
of £150,000 P.A.
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| Elected councillors' monthly
expenses claims and receipts (councils in England) |
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| General statements of financial
accounts (councils in England) |
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| Elected councillors' monthly
expenses claims and receipts (police authorities in England) |
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| General statements of financial
accounts (police authorities in England) |
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| Contracts with external agencies
& suppliers etc (councils in England) |
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| Contracts with external agencies
& suppliers etc (police authorities in England) |
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| File copies of invoices, receipts
and bills (councils in England) |
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| File copies of invoices, receipts
and bills (police authorities in England) |
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| Members' declarations of financial
& personal interests (councils in England) |
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| Members' declarations of financial
& personal interests (police authorities in England) |
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| Correspondence authorising
contracts, terms & conditions (councils in England) |
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| Correspondence authorising
contracts, terms & conditions (police authorities in
England) |
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Public Access
to the Files
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Dates during which
the public are entitled to view the accounts change every
year. Details are given below.
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The Department for Communities
and Local Government has a search
engine to enable taxpayers and
voters to locate details of all council
expenditure above
the £500
threshold, but this is available for England alone.
 Click to the
DCLG page here.
Details of payments
to council and police authority staff earning in excess of £50,000
per annum are available in the
relevant authorities' annual statements of accounts.
All of the material, including detailed contracts,
invoices
and bills,
listed in the table above are available during the statutory public
inspection period.
This takes place for 20 working days
(England, Wales and Northern Ireland) between the end of the relevant
local government financial year (beginning of April) and the completion
of the annual audit process (usually end of September).
The
2011/2012
inspection period is...
English
local authorities are obliged by law to publicise inspection
dates on the internet.
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 | | Barnsley | Files
available: tbc
Council website info: tbc
Newspaper
notice: tbc
2010/11 inspection: no
info provided.
2009/10 inspection: no info provided.
2008/09 inspection: 27 Jul-21 Aug 2009.
2007/08 inspection: 4 Aug-29 Aug 2008. |
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| Birmingham |
Files
available: tbc
Council website info:
tbc
Newspaper notice: tbc
2010/11 inspection: 25
jul-19 Aug 2011.
2009/10 inspection: 12 Jul-6 Aug 2010.
2008/09 inspection: 13 Jul-7 Aug 2009.
2007/08 inspection: 14 Jul-8 Aug 2008. |
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| Bolton |
Files
available: tbc
Council website info: tbc
Newspaper
notice: tbc
2010/11 inspection: 14
Jul-10 Aug 2011.
2009/10 inspection: no info provided.
2008/09 inspection: No FOIA response.
2007/08 inspection: 31 Jul-27 Aug 2008. |
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| Bradford |
Files
available: tbc
Council website info: tbc
Newspaper
notice: tbc
2010/11 inspection: 13
Jun-8 Jul 2011.
2009/10 inspection: 1 Jul-28 Jul 2010.
2008/09 inspection: 9 Jul-5 Aug 2009.
2007/08 inspection: no info provided. |
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| Bury |
Files
available: tbc
Council website info: tbc
Newspaper
notice: tbc
2010/11 inspection: 30
Jun-29 Jul 2011.
2009/10 inspection: no info provided.
2008/09 inspection: No FOIA response.
2007/08 inspection: 30 Jul-28 Aug 2008. |
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| Calderdale |
Files
available: tbc
Council website info: tbc
Newspaper
notice: tbc
2010/11 inspection: 13
Jun-8 Jul 2011.
2009/10 inspection: 5 Jul-30 Jul 2010.
2008/09 inspection: No FOIA response.
2007/08 inspection: 21 Jul-15 Aug 2008. |
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| Coventry |
Files
available: tbc
Council website info: tbc
Newspaper
notice: tbc
2010/11 inspection: 22
Jul-19 Aug 2011.
2009/10 inspection: 7 Jul-4 Aug 2010.
2008/09 inspection: 8 Jul-5 Aug 2009.
2007/08 inspection: 14 Jul-8 Aug 2008. |
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| Doncaster |
Files
available: tbc
Council website info: tbc
Newspaper
notice: tbc
2010/11 inspection: 25
Jul-19 Aug 2011.
2009/10 inspection: 26 Jul-20 Aug 2010.
2008/09 inspection: 20 Jul-14 Aug 2009.
2007/08 inspection: 21 Jul-15 Aug 2008. |
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| Dudley |
Files
available: tbc
Council website info: tbc
Newspaper notice: tbc
2010/11 inspection: 4
Jul-29 Jul 2011.
2009/10 inspection: 1 Jun-28 Jun 2010.
2008/09 inspection: No FOIA response.
2007/08 inspection: 2 Jun-27 Jun 2008. |
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| Gateshead |
Files
available: tbc
Council website info: tbc
Newspaper
notice: tbc
2010/11 inspection: 11
Jul-5 Aug 2011.
2009/10 inspection: no info provided.
2008/09 inspection: No FOIA response.
2007/08 inspection: 7 Jul-1 Aug 2008. |
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| Kirklees |
Files
available: tbc
Council website info: tbc
Newspaper
notice: tbc
2010/11 inspection: 13
Jun-8 Jul 2011.
2009/10 inspection: 28 Jun-23 Jul 2010.
2008/09 inspection: 30 Jun-27 Jul 2009.
2007/08 inspection: 30 Jun-25 Jul 2008. |
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| Knowsley |
Files
available: tbc
Council website info: tbc
Newspaper notice: tbc
2010/11 inspection: 13
Jun-8 Jul 2011.
(Warning: The
council breached the regulations because it
did not place a copy of the statutory notice,
or any information about the inspection period,
public rights to question the auditor, or rights
to raise to objections, on its website).
2009/10 inspection: 14 Jun-16 Jul 2010.
2008/09 inspection: 15 Jun-10 Jul 2009.
2007/08 inspection: 23 Jun-14 Jul 2008. |
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| Leeds |
Files
available: tbc
Council website info: tbc
Newspaper
notice: tbc
2010/11 inspection: 13
Jun-8 Jul 2011.
2009/10 inspection: 5 Jul-30 Jul 2010.
2008/09 inspection: 20 Jul-14 Aug 2009.
2007/08 inspection: 1 Jul-29 Jul 2008. |
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| | Liverpool | Files
available: tbc
Council website info: tbc
Newspaper
notice: tbc
2010/11 inspection: no
info provided.
2009/10 inspection: 1 Jul-27 Jul 2010.
WARNING: Liverpool City Council applied a 20p
copying charge on any document requested by
any taxpayer exercising their right to inspect
the accounts. A council official told ONB (24/06/10):
"We have to find ways of raising money
and we are entitled to charge any reasonable
copying expense." ONB verdict: This fee
regime is, prima facie, excessive and disproportionate.
City taxpayers should request electronic copies
of accounts and files.
2008/09 inspection: 1 Jul-28
Jul 2009.
2007/08 inspection: 2 Jul-29 Jul 2008. |
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| Manchester |
Files
available: tbc
Council website info: tbc
Newspaper
notice: tbc
2010/11 inspection: 14
Jul-10 Aug 2011.
2009/10 inspection: 21 Jul-18 Aug 2010.
2008/09 inspection: 8 Jul-4 Aug 2009.
2007/08 inspection: 9 Jul-5 Aug 2008. |
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| | Newcastle
upon Tyne | Files
available: tbc
Council website info: tbc
Newspaper
notice: tbc
2010/11 inspection: no
info provided.
2009/10 inspection: no info provided.
2008/09 inspection: 1 Jul-31 Jul 2009.
2007/08 inspection: 1 Jul-31 Aug 2008. |
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| North
Tyneside |
Files
available: tbc
Council website info: tbc
Newspaper
notice: tbc
2010/11 inspection: 4
Jul-29 Jul 2011.
(Warning: The public notice posted on the council
website was not set out in the required format,
and did not give local taxpayers and voters
the required contact information for the external
auditor. ONB verdict: The council failed to
comply with the regulations and the inspection
period was invalid).
2009/10 inspection:
no info provided.
2008/09 inspection: no information.
2007/08
inspection: no information. |
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| Oldham |
Files
available: tbc
Council website info: tbc
Newspaper notice: tbc
2010/11 inspection: 20
May-17 Jun 2011.
2009/10 inspection: 14 Jun-9 Jul 2010.
2008/09 inspection: 20 Jul-14 Aug 2009.
2007/08 inspection: 24 Jul-20 Aug 2008. |
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| Rochdale |
Files
available: tbc
Council website info: tbc
Newspaper
notice: tbc
2010/11 inspection: 28
Jun-25 Jul 2011.
2009/10 inspection: no info provided.
2008/09 inspection: 30 Jun-27 Jul 2009.
2007/08 inspection: 30 Jun-28 Jul 2008. |
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| Rotherham |
Files
available: tbc
Council website info: tbc
Newspaper
notice: tbc
2010/11 inspection: 5
Jul-1 Aug 2011.
2009/10 inspection: 5 Jul-30 Jul 2010.
2008/09 inspection: No FOIA response.
2007/08 inspection: 25 Jul-21 Aug 2008. |
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| Salford |
Files
available: tbc
Council website info: tbc
Newspaper
notice: tbc
2010/11 inspection: 1
Aug-26 Aug 2011.
2009/10 inspection: 2 Aug-27 Aug 2010.
2008/09 inspection: 3 Aug-28 Aug 2009.
2007/08 inspection: 28 Jul-22 Aug 2008. |
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| Sandwell |
Files
available: tbc
Council website info: tbc
Newspaper notice: tbc
2010/11 inspection: 1
Jul-28 Jul 2011. (Warning:
The council failed to upload a copy of the statutory
public notice to its website, until 21 Jul 2011,
three weeks after the inspecytion period began.
ONB verdict: Invalid public inspection).
2009/10
inspection: 29 Jun-26 Jul 2010.
2008/09 inspection: No FOIA response.
2007/08
inspection: 30 Jun-21 Jul 2008. |
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| Sefton |
Files
available: tbc
Council website info: tbc
Newspaper
notice: tbc
2010/11 inspection: 11
Jul-5 Aug 2011.
2009/10 inspection: 12 Jul-6 Aug 2010.
2008/09 inspection: No FOIA response.
2007/08 inspection: 30 Jun-25 Jul 2008. |
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| Sheffield |
Files
available: tbc
Council website info: tbc
Newspaper
notice: tbc
2010/11 inspection: 18
Jul-12 Aug 2011.
2009/10 inspection: 19 Jul-13 Aug 2010.
2008/09 inspection: 20 Jul-14 Aug 2009.
2007/08 inspection: 21 Jul-15 Aug 2008. |
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| Solihull |
Files
available: tbc
Council website info: tbc
Newspaper
notice: tbc
2010/11 inspection: 1
Jul-28 Jul 2011.
2009/10 inspection: 2 Jul-29 Jul 2010.
2008/09 inspection: 3 Jul-30 Jul 2009.
2007/08 inspection: 26 Jun-23 Jul 2008. |
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| | South
Tyneside | Files
available: tbc
Council website info: tbc
Newspaper
notice: tbc
2010/11 inspection: no
info provided.
2009/10 inspection: no info provided.
2008/09 inspection: 27 Jul-21 Aug 2009.
2007/08 inspection: 30 Jun-25 Jul 2008. |
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| St
Helens |
Files
available: tbc
Council website info: tbc
Newspaper
notice: tbc
2010/11 inspection: 25
Jul-19 Aug 2011.
2009/10 inspection: no info provided.
2008/09 inspection: 6 Jul-31 Jul 2009.
2007/08 inspection: 2 Jul-30 Jul 2008. |
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| Stockport |
Files
available: tbc
Council website info: tbc
Newspaper
notice: tbc
2010/11 inspection: 4
Jul-29 Jul 2011.
2009/10 inspection: no info provided.
2008/09 inspection: 6 Jul-31 Jul 2009.
2007/08 inspection: 7 Jul-1 Aug 2008. |
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| Sunderland |
Files
available: tbc
Council website info:
tbc
Newspaper notice: tbc
2010/11 inspection: 1
Aug-26 Aug 2011.
2009/10 inspection: 2 Aug-27 Aug 2010.
2008/09 inspection: 27 Jul-24 Aug 2009.
2007/08 inspection: 1 Aug-31 Aug 2008. |
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| Tameside |
Files
available: tbc
Council website info:
tbc
Newspaper notice: tbc
2010/11 inspection: 4
Jul-29 Jul 2011.
2009/10 inspection: 16 Jun-13 Jul 2010.
2008/09 inspection: 16 Jun-13 Jul 2009.
2007/08 inspection: 11 Jun-9 Jul 2008. |
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| | Trafford | Files
available: tbc
Council website info: tbc
Newspaper
notice: tbc
2010/11 inspection: no
info provided.
2009/10 inspection: no info provided.
2008/09 inspection: No FOIA response.
2007/08 inspection: 30 Jun-25 Jul 2008. |
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| Wakefield |
Files
available: tbc
Council website info: tbc
Newspaper
notice: tbc
2010/11 inspection: 13
Jun-8 Jul 2011.
2009/10 inspection: 1 Jul-28 Jul 2010.
2008/09 inspection: 1 Jul-28 Jul 2009.
2007/08 inspection: 1 Jul-29 Jul 2008. |
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| Walsall |
Files
available: tbc
Council website info: tbc
Newspaper
notice: tbc
2010/11 inspection: 18
Jul-12 Aug 2011.
(Warning: The public notice implied electors
and taxpayers wishing to question the auditor
had to give advance notice of questions. This
only applies where the interested person intends
to lodge a formal objection. The statutory notice
did not give a specific date for the end of
the inspection period, but did specify it was
for 20 working days).
2009/10 inspection:
12 Jul-6 Aug 2010.
2008/09 inspection: No FOIA response.
2007/08 inspection: 24 Jul-20
Aug 2008. |
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| Wigan |
Files
available: tbc
Council website info: tbc
Newspaper
notice: tbc
2010/11 inspection: 25
Jul-19 Aug 2011.
2009/10 inspection: 19 Jul-13 Aug 2010.
2008/09 inspection: 20 Jul-14 Aug 2009.
2007/08 inspection: 28 Jul-22 Aug 2008. |
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| Wirral |
Files
available: tbc
Council website info:
tbc
Newspaper notice: tbc
2010/11 inspection: 18
Jul-12 Aug 2011.
2009/10 inspection: 2 Jul-29 Jul 2010.
2008/09 inspection: 1 Jul-28 Jul 2009.
2007/08 inspection: no info provided. |
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| Wolverhampton |
Files
available: tbc
Council website info: tbc
Newspaper
notice: tbc
2010/11 inspection: 25
Jul-19 Aug 2011.
2009/10 inspection: 12 Jul-6 Aug 2010.
2008/09 inspection: 13 Jul-7 Aug 2009.
2007/08 inspection: 14 Jul-8 Aug 2008. |
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Intellectual
Property Notice
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This webpage is the
intellectual property of Orchard News Bureau Ltd 2011.
Every effort has been made to verify the information as
correct at time of uploading to the website. Under the
terms of Section 30 of the Copyright Design and Patents
Act 1988, media companies wishing to reproduce any of
the material for journalistic review purposes are hereby
licensed to copy and reproduce the material from one category
of authority listed, with due acknowledgement of the source.
Any other reproduction or copying must be with the prior
consent of Orchard News Bureau Ltd.
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London &
Regional Updates
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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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Click
here for links to C.I.J. slideshow & video briefings
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