Finding out how your council spends your money :Cross Stitch – Home and community
You can find out what your council spends on items and services over £500 and about new contracts and tenders, councillor allowances and senior salaries. You also have the right to inspect your council’s accounts and supporting papers once a year for all items of spending and income.
Councils are encouraged to share details on spending with an aim to be more open with residents and to save money. Many councils now provide information on their website to show residents how they spend their budget.
You also have the right to inspect your council’s detailed financial accounts – and all the books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers and receipts relating to them. Every year councils are required to open their accounting records for 20 working days for public inspection and challenge. These rights allow you to check any spending under the £500 threshold without having to submit a Freedom of Information Act request.
Your council has to make clear on its website and in the local press when these accounts can be checked by the public.
To find out when you can check your council’s accounts choose from the options below, enter your details and click ‘Go’. This service is only available in England.