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

=== ✉️ Proposal to Shalfleet Parish Council ===

To: Shalfleet Parish Council
From: Ed Surridge, Resident of Shalfleet Parish
Date: [Insert date]
Subject: Proposal for Full and Accessible Disclosure of Financial and Governance Information

Dear Councillors,

I respectfully propose that Shalfleet Parish Council take proactive steps to publish the maximum amount of financial and governance information it is legally obliged to provide, in a manner that is accessible to all parishioners.

===== Why Transparency Matters =====
* The Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 and the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 require parish councils to ensure accounting records and governance information are made available for inspection.
* The Nolan Principles of Public Life (selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, leadership) set a standard of conduct that councils are expected to follow.
* Failure to follow due process—such as the attempted re-designation of the April 2024 meeting as an AGM—has already raised questions of governance. Openness now would restore confidence.

===== Suggested Actions =====
# Website Publication Publish on the parish website all available Annual Governance and Accountability Returns (AGAR), internal and external audit reports, expenditure breakdowns, and councillor allowances for 2022–2023 and 2023–2024.
# Noticeboard Summary Provide a clear, summarised version on all parish noticeboards, ensuring accessibility for residents without internet access.
# Timely Response I ask that the Council agree to this proposal at its upcoming monthly meeting and publish a response within seven days of that meeting.

By acting on this proposal, Shalfleet Parish Council will demonstrate leadership in applying the Nolan Principles, particularly openness, accountability, and honesty.

Yours sincerely,
Ed Surridge
Resident, Shalfleet Parish