Accounts

Inspecting the Statement of Accounts

The Basic Position

You have a right to inspect your Authority’s accounts. Electors may also ask questions about, or challenge, the accounts.

The Right to Inspect the Accounts

By law, Humberside Police Authority has to make its accounts available to Council Tax payers for inspection for a period of 20 working days
We will do this from 7 August - 4 September 2007
If you wish to inspect our accounts, arrangements can be made for you to view them at Queens Gardens Police Station, Hull, between 9am and 4pm. Please contact us to arrange a mutually convenient viewing time
You may be required to pay a charge for any copying of the accounts you ask us to undertake
You can also view the accounts on our website

Read the notice for inspecting the accounts which was posted in the Hull Daily Mail, Grimsby Telegraph and Scunthorpe Telegraph on 8 July 2006

The Right to Ask the Auditor Questions About The Accounts

You are only permitted to ask the Auditor questions about the accounts for the year he is auditing
The Auditor has the right not to answer questions about the Authority’s policies, finances and procedures
The Auditor does not have to disclose whether he believes something the Authority has done, or an item in its accounts, is lawful or reasonable.

The Right to Object to the Accounts

If you think that the Police Authority has spent money that they shouldn’t have done, or that someone has caused a loss to the authority deliberately or by behaving irresponsibly, you can object to the Auditor by sending a formal ‘notice of objection’ in writing. You must also explain to the Auditor why you are objecting.
When the Auditor reaches a decision on your objection, and if you are not happy with that decision, then you may appeal to the courts.
You can also object if you think that there is something in the accounts that the Auditor should discuss with the Authority or tell the public about in a ‘public interest report’. Again, you must provide reasons.
In this case, the Auditor will decide whether to take any action. The Auditor will normally provide reasons for his decision, but he can reserve the right not to do this. You can appeal to the courts against this decision.
You may not, however, use this ‘right to object’ to make a personal complaint or claim against Humberside Police Authority. Please follow our complaints procedure for dealing with these issues.

What Else Can You Do

You can provide the Auditor with information relevant to his responsibilities at any time. For example, you can tell the Auditor if you have any concerns that there is an error within the accounts or about waste and inefficiency in the way the Authority runs its services. You do not have to follow a set time limit or procedure.
The Auditor is not required to provide you with a detailed report of his investigation into the issue(s) you have raised, but they will usually tell you the general outcome.

A Final Word

Authorities and therefore, local taxpayers, must meet the costs of dealing with questions and objections. When deciding whether to progress your objection(s) further, the Auditor will take into account a range of factors, including the costs that will be involved. He will only continue with the objection if it is in the public interest to do so. If you choose to appeal to the Courts you should pay for this action yourself.

Read about your rights in more detail.