Audit of Accounts Year Ended 31st March 2023

Rights to inspect the statement of accounts and accounting records

Sections 25 and 26 of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 (“the Act”) give local government electors the right to inspect and make copies of the Statement of Accounts, accounting records and all documents relating to those records, for the financial year ended 31st March 2023.

Rights to inspect the accounts and relevant accounting records may be exercised by making an appointment from 19th June 2023 to 28th July 2023 between the hours of 9am and 4.30pm at the Civic Centre, Victoria Road, Hartlepool, TS24 8AY by informing Sandra Shears, Head of Finance (Corporate and Schools), of your intention to exercise your rights. Sandra Shears can be contacted on (01429) 523001 or sandra.shears@hartlepool.gov.uk.

Rights to question the auditor and to make objections at audit

Section 26 of the Act, gives local government electors the right to question the auditor about the accounting records for the financial year ended 31st March 2023 and under section 27 of the Act a local government elector may make an objection to the auditor which:

• Concerns a matter in respect of which the auditor could make a public interest report under section 24 of the Act; or
• Concerns an item of account in respect of which the auditor could apply for a declaration that the item is unlawful under section 28 of the Act.

These rights may be exercised from 19th June 2023 to 28th July 2023. Any requests to question the auditor and any objections must be made in writing to the auditor to the following address, Gavin Barker (Director) of Mazars, The Corner, Bank Chambers, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 5DF.

A copy of the objection must also be sent to the Council at the address set out above.