Public invited to view council accounts after audit

A Shropshire parish council has invited public inspection of its accounts after a stinging auditors' report raised concerns over its ability to handle taxpayer's money.

Stirchley and Brookside Parish Council's internal audit for 2024/25 concluded that the "council's system of internal controls is NOT in place".

Locum clerk and financial officer Chris Mclean said the report picked up issues from the start of the financial year that had or were being resolved.

He added the public could examine the accounts until 27 July, at the Sambrook Centre in Stirchley.

The parish has 13 members, representing the wards of Brookside, Stirchley and Holmer Lake.

It raised £352,000 from council-tax payers this year, increasing bills for residents in Band D-rated properties by 4.51%.

Issues raised by internal auditor, JDH Business Services Limited, include reclaiming more than £30,900 in VAT, which Mr McLean said he was engaging with HMRC to resolve.

The council also "failed to make proper provision for the exercise of public rights for the 2023/24 accounts", the auditor said.

Mclean, who has a background in financial services, said the council took fiscal controls very seriously.

"The audit covers the whole 12-month period and as we were still addressing some administrative and control processes early in the year, the auditor was not able to sign off on a more positive note," he said.

He added all aspects of the council's finances were carefully managed.

"The council fully recognises the importance of correct dealings with public finances," he said.

Mclean, who joined the team at the council in September 2022, said councillors were now given regular information on budgetary control and bank reconciliations.

The unaudited accounts will be reviewed by an appointed auditor after the public and electors are given a chance to inspect, question and object top anything contained in them.

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This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.