The Accounts and Audit Regulations 2003

Notice of conclusion of audit

18.—(1) As soon as reasonably possible after conclusion of an audit, a body to which regulation 11(2) applies or, in the case of a parish meeting, the chairman of the meeting, shall give notice by advertisement stating that the audit has been concluded and that the statement of accounts is available for inspection by local government electors and including—

(a) a statement of the rights conferred on local government electors by section 14 of the 1998 Act; and

(b) the address at which and the hours during which those rights may be exercised.

(2) As soon as reasonably possible after conclusion of an audit, a body to which regulation 12(2) applies or which is referred to in regulation 12(3) or, in the case of a parish meeting, the chairman of the meeting, shall display a notice in a conspicuous place or places in the area of the body for a period of at least 14 days stating that the audit has been completed and that the income and expenditure account and the statement of balances, or the record of receipts and payments, as the case may be, required by these Regulations is available for inspection by local government electors and including—

(a) a statement of the rights conferred on local government electors by section 14 of the 1998 Act; and

(b) the address at which and the hours during which those rights may be exercised.

(3) Where any notice by advertisement is given or any notice is displayed pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2) above the statement of accounts, income and expenditure account and the statement of balances, or record of receipts and payments, as the case may be, made available for inspection shall—

(a) if as a result of the auditor’s report any material amendment is required to them, either be revised as a result of the auditor’s report, or be accompanied by a statement of the amendments required as a result of the auditor’s report;

(b) if revised as described in sub-paragraph (a) above, be accompanied by an explanation as to the material respects in which they have been altered as a result of the auditor’s report; and

(c) if revised as described in sub-paragraph (a) above, be accompanied by a statement that they have been prepared as at the date of the original document and not as at the date of the revision and accordingly do not deal with events between those dates.

(4) If as a result of the auditor’s report any material amendment is required to the statement of accounts, income and expenditure account and statement of balances or record of receipts and payment (“the accounts”), the responsible financial officer shall report such amendment to the relevant body or the committee of that relevant body which approved the accounts pursuant to regulation 10(3) or (4) as soon as reasonably practicable.