Inspect council spending online

ARMCHAIR auditors now have the right to inspect Oldham Council’s books.

A new online search engine has been launched that shows local taxpayers when they can inspect their council’s detailed financial spending and ledgers as part of greater public transparency.

Every council is required by law to make its accounts available to the public for 20 days a year. This includes every invoice, payment and receipt registered in the council’s ledgers and applies to all expenditure, not just amounts over £500.

Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles said: “Transparency is the foundation for a strong local democracy.

“It strengthens the hand of citizens by opening up the processes that show where their council tax goes.

“It helps councils do more for less, protect frontline services and save taxpayers’ money. For the next few weeks, Town Hall ledgers across the country are open to the scrutiny of armchair auditors. Every concerned citizen should use this opportunity to dig into the intricacies of their council’s coffers.”

Use the website link www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/YourlocalcouncilandCouncilTax/YourCommunity/DG_196382 for more details.