Newport Town Council - Annual Financial Returns

Annual Financial Returns

Submissions to External Auditor	Signed Off by External Auditor	Internal Audit Reports
Submitted Annual Return 2018/19	Notice of public rights and publication of Annual Governance & Accountability Return (Accounts for year ended 31 March 2019)	Internal report 2018/19
Annual Return 2017/18	2018 Annual return signed off by external auditor Public Notice of Conclusion of the Audit displayed in Guildhall Window	Internal Report 2017/18
Annual Return 2016/17	2017 Annual return signed off by external auditor Public Notice of conclusion of the audit displayed in Guildhall window Summary of End of Year Accounts 2016/17 Notice of Appointment of Public Rights	Internal Audit Report 2016/17
Annual Return 2015/16	2016 Annual return signed off by external auditor and public notice displayed in guildhall window	Internal Audit Report 2015/16
Annual return 2014/2015	2015 Annual return signed off by external auditor and public notice displayed in guildhall window	Internal Audit Report 2014/15
Annual return 2013/2014	2014 Annual return signed off by external auditor and public notice displayed in guildhall window
Annual return 2012 /2013	2013 Annual return signed off by external auditor and public notice displayed in guildhall window
Annual return 2011 / 2012	2012 Annual return signed off by external auditor and public notice displayed in guildhall window
Annual return 2010 / 2011	2011 Annual return signed off by external auditor displayed in guildhall window

Explanation of the process:

The Town Council’s accounting year runs from 1 April to 31 March.

The Annual Return comprises a 6 page document that must be presented to the Full Town Council for formal approval before it is submitted to the external auditor by 30^th of June each year.

The independent internal auditor is also required to sign the Annual Return.

The Annual Return is sent to the external auditor with a variety of supporting documentation, which varies from year to year depending on the specific request of the external auditor. However, the supporting documentation normally includes copies of end of year bank statements and all reports made by the internal auditor, and often insurance policy details, asset and property registers, copies of governance documentation (council rules), risk management schedules and copies of minutes for some specific items.

Upon receipt, the external auditor will examines the Annual Return and its supporting documentation. The external auditor will then complete section 3 (of the 6 page Annual Return) ‘the External auditor’s certificate and opinion and return it to the Town Council.

The Town Council is required to display the fully completed (6 page) Annual Return, with an accompanying notice that advises local electors how they can view the Annual Return. The Notice (and the Return) is always placed in the window of the Guildhall for at least 14 days.

In addition the Town Council now publishes its submission and the completed Annual return on the Newport Town Council website. Hard copies are available at small cost and the original can be viewed by making an appointment at the Guildhall (telephone No 01952 814338)