The council is required by law and best accounting practices to publish certain financial information about both what it intends to spend each year (its budget) and to publish its accounts, which shows the final position of what was actually spent in each year. The financial year runs from the 1st April to the following 31st March and this is the basis for all of the information published.

Budget information is shown under Budget and Spending and shows how the council works out it budget and then provides summary information on the budget. A detailed document known as the Corporate Improvement Plan then provides much more detailed budget information together with the proposed service improvements and achievements to be gained from the budget each year in line with the council’s objectives. A Corporate Improvement Plan Summary document has also been made available to help make the document more concise and easy to understand.

The Council Tax Leaflet then sets out the implications of the council’s budget on the council tax payer each year. This leaflet also includes information about the Northumbria Police Authority and Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority whose costs of service must be added to your council tax bill.

The council must also prepare an annual Statement of Accounts document in line with legal requirements, which must be externally audited and certified. A Summary Statement of Accounts is also available to make the accounts more user friendly and an Annual Report to provide details of where the money was spent and the outcomes achieved in the year in line with the council’s objectives.

Clean Bill of Health from the Council's External Auditor

The council receives an Annual Audit Letter  from the District Audit Service who carry out the council's external audit on behalf of the Audit Commission.. The letter provides an annual review of the management arrangements in the council and once again is extremely positive. The District Auditor's general conclusion is that in another demanding year the council has reacted well to a number of local government initiatives as well as seeking to improve local services.

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last updated 13/05/08