Written question asked by Lord Pickles (Conservative) on Thursday, 17 July 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 21 July 2008. It was answered by Parmjit Dhanda (Labour) on Tuesday, 22 July 2008 on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Audit Commission Act 1998

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance (a) the Audit Commission and (b) her Department has produced on steps local authorities should take to publicise the rights of members of the public to financial information under the Audit Commission Act 1998 and the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2003.

Answer: Neither Communities and Local Government nor the Audit Commission advise local authorities on how to meet their statutory obligations under the Audit Commission Act 1998 and the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2003.The Audit Commission publishes a leaflet ““Councils' Accounts Your Rights: England”” on its website. This leaflet is aimed at members of the public and summarises their rights to inspect, question and challenge councils' accounts.Additionally, individuals have access to information about public authorities through powers under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Secondary information