The formal conclusion of the financial year ending March 2025
As the Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) of Ashington Town Council, I am pleased to announce the conclusion of our financial year and the approval of our end-of-year finances at our meeting earlier tonight.
Our council has diligently adhered to the Accounts and Audit Regulations, ensuring that our financial affairs are properly administered and aligned with legal standards. This commitment to good governance, accountability, and transparency is fundamental to our mission of providing efficient and effective public services to the Ashington community. Our Annual Governance and Accountability Return, for year ending March 2025 will be sent to the external auditor today, and will include:
- Bank Reconciliation: A statement showing all bank and building society account balances as of 31st March 2025.
- Bank Statements: Copies of all bank statements dated 31st March 2025, to verify the figures in the bank reconciliation.
- Variance Explanation: A detailed explanation with figures for any significant differences in income or expenditure between the 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years.
- A reconciliation between the closing balances in the Annual Return and Bank Reconciliation as accounts are prepared on an income and expenditure basis.
- Contact Details: Confirmation of current contact information for the Clerk, RFO (if different), and Chair.
- Public Rights Exercise: A signed form confirming the period chosen by the authority for the exercise of public rights.
- Internal Auditor Report: Our Internal Audit Report year-end report for 2024/25.
- Minutes referencing the Council’s consideration of the Executive Officers Financial and Management Risk Assessment.
We invite Ashington residents to exercise their right to inspect the Council's accounts during the designated period Thursday 12th June 2025 and ending on Wednesday 23rd July 2025. Click on the link that follows to open the Notice of Public Rights.
Further information regarding your rights can be found on at the National Audit Office Home - National Audit Office (NAO)
You can also view documents on the Financial pages of our website. Clicking on the link below will take you directly to the Annual Governance and Accountability Return, year ending 2025.
Ashington Town Council - Annual Governance and Accountability Returns 2024/25
The results of our External Audit, in the form of an Annual Return, will be made available on our website and upon request once completed, typically in September.
As always, we remain committed to financial responsibility and transparency. Residents are welcome to direct any questions about council spending to my office at any time.
Sarah Eden – Executive Officer/RFO
Ashington Town Council
Town Hall, 65 Station Road
Ashington, Northumberland, NE63 8RX
Tel: (01670) 624521
Mobile: 07931538785
