Clean audit for Ashington Town Council's 2025/26 accounts
Ashington Town Council has received a clean result from its external audit for the year ended 31st March 2026. The external auditor, Forvis Mazars LLP, completed its review of the Council's Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) and raised no matters, minor or otherwise.
The completed audit will be formally received by Members at the Full Council meeting on 29th September, commencing at 6:00pm. Members of the public are welcome to attend.
The Council has now published the certified AGAR, which includes the external auditor's report and a formal notice confirming that the audit is complete.
Over the last four years the Council has made its finances more open to the public:
- All payments are now made online, with two Cllrs authorising every payment.
- Every payment schedule is published online, whatever the amount, with the legal power the Council used to spend the money.
- The Council's accounts are managed through Scribe, a dedicated accountancy package.
- The Council has adopted a Reserves Policy, a Treasury Policy and an Asset Register Policy.
Sarah Eden, Executive Officer and Responsible Financial Officer, said:
"A clean audit with no matters raised is a great result and as expected. I'd like to thank our councillors and our internal auditor for their part in it. Our financial policies aren't just words on paper. They describe what we actually do, and they let residents see exactly how their money is managed. That's what transparency with public money means."
The Council also took part in a national pilot of a new digital system for submitting AGARs, which is being rolled out to councils across England for the 2026/27 financial year.
Your rights
Local government electors have the right to inspect the Council's accounting records and to make copies, under section 25 of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014. Inspection is by appointment at the Town Hall, 65 Station Road, Ashington NE63 8RX.
The AGAR and audit notice are available:
- on our website financial pages, under Annual Governance & Accountability Returns 2025-26
- at the Town Hall
- on request from the Council
They will remain available for at least five years.
