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

=== Assistant: Here’s a clear, respectful, and legally informed open letter you can send or post publicly to Shalfleet Parish Council,… ===
Here’s a clear, respectful, and legally informed open letter you can send or post publicly to Shalfleet Parish Council, inviting cooperation while also documenting the serious governance issues raised—especially from the external auditor’s perspective.

===== To: All Members of Shalfleet Parish Council =====
Cc: Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer
From: Ed Surridge, local resident
Date: [Insert Today’s Date]
Subject: Request for Council Support in Reviewing the 2023–2024 Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR)

Dear Members of Shalfleet Parish Council,

I am writing publicly and respectfully to request the Council’s assistance in helping concerned residents—myself included—understand and verify the financial and governance records for the financial year 2023–2024, in particular the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR).

===== The AGAR is a legally required return designed to uphold transparency and democratic accountability in public spending. It must be: =====
* Approved by resolution of the full council at a properly convened meeting
* Published with clear notice of public inspection rights
* Submitted to the external auditor (now BDO LLP) within statutory deadlines

As of today, it is not clear whether the 2023–2024 AGAR was properly approved, published, or submitted. Nor is it clear whether the required public inspection notice was ever issued in summer 2024. These are serious and potentially reportable failures under the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 and the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015.

===== It appears that an attempt was made by the previous council to hold an Annual Parish Council Meeting (AGM) in April 2024, despite the law (Local Government Act 1972, Sch. 12, para. 7) requiring it to be held in May. =====

If this April meeting was used to approve the 2023–24 AGAR, it may have no legal standing, and any financial decisions taken could be invalid. The external auditor would likely view this as:
* A procedural failure undermining the validity of financial approvals
* A basis to issue a Public Interest Report, or request the AGAR be resubmitted and properly approved
* A potential breach of the Nolan Principles, particularly in respect to openness, accountability, and integrity

===== It is also of concern that: =====
* The former Chair and Vice Chair reportedly did not participate in or facilitate a proper handover to the newly elected Council
* Only one current councillor served during the 2023–24 period, making internal review difficult without robust records
* The parish website, shalfleetiow.org.uk, appears to have no accessible content from after May 2024, according to the Wayback Machine archive

===== I ask this new Council to: =====
# Confirm whether the 2023–24 AGAR was ever legally approved at a valid meeting
# Seek immediate clarification from the previous RFO or Clerk, if needed
# Reissue or republish the AGAR, even retrospectively, if it was missed
# Write proactively to BDO LLP, the external auditor, and request guidance or offer full cooperation
# Consider commissioning an internal review to help restore transparency and confidence

This is not a political issue; it is a legal and ethical responsibility. Your cooperation and transparency would send a strong signal that the current Parish Council is committed to lawful and open governance, even when past councillors may have failed in their duty.

I would be happy to assist, provide documentation, or speak directly with councillors. Please feel free to contact me or respond publicly.

Sincerely,
Ed Surridge
Shalfleet Parish resident
[Optional contact details]

Would you like this in a downloadable PDF format for posting or distribution? I can also help post it on social media with a summary, or draft a follow-up FOI or letter to the external auditor.