Anyone with even a vague interest in the goings-on in Somerton would be well advised to have a look at the Audit Commission's website, specifically the section dealing with 'Reports in the Public Interest'. 5 such reports were published on 8th April 2010 and they make interesting reading:
Long Crendon Parish Council: Report in the public interest
This public interest report has been issued in respect of the Council’s failure to prepare an Annual Return about its finances and governance for the period 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2007.
Stoke Rivers Parish Meeting: Report in the Public Interest
This public interest report has been issued about Stoke Rivers Parish Meeting’s failure to prepare an annual return about its finances and governance for the years ended 31 March 2006 to 31 March ...
Brasted Parish Council: Report in the Public Interest
This public interest report has been issued about the Brasted Parish Council’s failure to prepare an annual return about its finances and governance for the years ended 31 March 2007 to 31 March 2008.
Knowstone Parish Council: Report in the Public Interest
This public interest report has been issued about the Knowstone Parish Council’s failure to provide evidence and explanations to support the annual return about its finances and governance for the ...
Little Brickhill Parish Council: Report in the Public Interest
This public interest report has been issued about the Little Brickhill Parish Council’s: Failure to approve the annual returns that were prepared and submitted for audit for the financial years ...
I realise that Town or Parish Council's are not meant to be particularly 'political bodies' but they are, factually, the ground floor of our rather shaky democracy. If the process cannot be regulated at this most basic of levels then what hope do we have for Westminster. Equally, I know at first hand just how hard it can be to bring facts into the open if a body like Somerton Town Council, under the previous Keenan/Canvin administration, want to obstruct such enquiries.
So when the Leaders of our major political parties spout about wanting to "regain trust" and wanting to "clean up politics" you need to ask yourself just how much do they want to "clean up politics"? And maybe more importantly, will those with an interest in the rules staying vague, will those people let them?
Till next time, I'm Niall Connolly
