Editing Openai/68c0109a-3744-8002-80a6-138182f7ddda (section)

=== Assistant: Thanks for sharing the email. ===
Thanks for sharing the email. Here's a breakdown of what it does confirm, what it doesn’t clarify, and what you can do next:

==== - The AGAR for 2023–24 has been submitted to the external auditor (likely PKF Littlejohn). ====
* The RFO acknowledges your legal right to inspect the supporting financial records.
* They're offering to bring the documents to a location of your choosing, except on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
* They’re acting under the Exercise of Public Rights provisions in the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015.

==== 1. Public Notice Timing: No confirmation that the required notice of public rights was published correctly (on the parish website or noticeboard), with 30 working days’ notice. ====
# AGM Legality Issue: There's no mention of the failure to hold the May 2024 Annual Meeting, which is a statutory requirement under the Local Government Act 1972 Sch. 12(7). If that meeting didn't happen, it may call into question the proper approval of the AGAR.
# Access to Copies: It’s not clear whether copies will be provided or if you must inspect only. You have a right to request copies (possibly at cost).
# No Mention of Receipts and Vouchers: Although the law says all “books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers, receipts” must be available, the email doesn’t commit to showing these itemised supporting documents.

==== You could reply with something like this: ====

Subject: Request for Inspection of 2023–24 Financial Records under Public Rights

Dear [RFO’s name],

Thank you for your message confirming the submission of the AGAR and your offer to arrange a time for inspection under the Exercise of Public Rights.

I would like to take up your offer to inspect the full financial records, including:
* AGAR 2023–24 (submitted and draft)
* Full list of payments and receipts
* All books, invoices, contracts, and supporting documents (vouchers, receipts, bills, etc.)
* Bank statements covering the 2023–24 period
* Budget vs actual figures
* Meeting minutes approving any major expenditure

I would also be grateful if you could confirm:
# The exact dates of the public rights inspection window as published by the Council.
# Whether copies of documents can be supplied (digitally or physically), and if so, the cost.
# Whether the AGAR was approved at a properly convened Annual Parish Council meeting, as required under the Local Government Act 1972.

Please let me know a convenient time and location (excluding Wednesdays and Thursdays, as you mentioned) where the full records will be available.

Yours sincerely,
Ed Surridge

==== - Document any refusals or obstructions, especially if access to full records is denied or if copies are unreasonably withheld. ====
* Photograph or scan the records during your inspection (you're legally allowed to).
* If serious concerns remain (e.g., no legal AGM, unusual payments), submit a formal objection to the external auditor (PKF Littlejohn). I can help you draft that too.

Would you like me to draft a more formal version of this reply with citations or help prepare questions to ask during your inspection?