Taking Account
Already the Betley Parish Accounts for 2025-2026 are being discussed and the precept drawn up. At the end of the financial year 2023-24 the Betley Parish Council received an external audit, which was published, eventually, in November 2024. The report made interesting reading in that the External Auditor found ‘significant weaknesses within the Parish Council system’ and that ‘the Council should ensure that the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) form in 2024-25 is prepared in accordance with proper practices’. This would support the view of the only Councillor who had frequently queried the accounts and the way in which the AGAR Form had been completed by the Parish Council over the last two years, and more latterly, the Audit and Accounts Committee. Clearly the ‘explanation’ Minuted after the November 2024 Parish Council meeting had not been accepted by the External Auditor ( (see November 2024 Minutes, Minute 14 (a)- (d))....