Transparency
Policy context
1. This Code is issued to meet the Government’s desire to place more power
into citizens’ hands to increase democratic accountability. Transparency gives
local people the tools and information they need to hold local public bodies to
account.
2. The Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 sets out a new audit framework
for local public authorities which are currently covered by the Audit
Commission regime. Under the new audit framework smaller authorities,
including parish councils, internal drainage boards, charter trustees and port
health authorities, with an annual turnover not exceeding £25,000 will be
exempt from routine external audit. In place of routine audit, these smaller
authorities will be subject to the new transparency requirements laid out in this
Code. This will enable local electors and ratepayers to access relevant
information about the authorities’ accounts and governance.