Independent calls for urgent review of parish council finances

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WARRINGTON Borough Council says it is not the regulatory body to investigate alleged financial issues at Culcheth & Glazebury Parish Council.

It follows a call by independent Cllr Neil Johnson calling on the borough council to investigate alleged financial irregularities at the parish council.

Cllr. Johnson issued a statement, which he published on social media saying he had once again turned “whistleblower” and was calling for an urgent, external investigation into the finances and accounts of Culcheth and Glazebury Parish Council over what he describes as “irregularities” that need to be explained.
He said he and fellow Parish Councillors were called to a “Part 2” meeting prior to Christmas, where it was explained that the Parish Council’s paperwork and accounts were in a poor state.
Councillors were asked to keep what they were told confidential.
The Parish Council had just appointed a new Clerk, after the previous staff member left in 2024. For some time, the post was held by a temporary volunteer.
Cllr. Johnson explained:”Once again, I find myself in the position of whistleblower, but I will not stay quiet over what I have learned. This is public money, which people pay through their taxes, and they have a right to know.
“Parish Councillors were informed just prior to Christmas of the dreadful state of the Council’s accounts and paperwork.”
He went on to say: “The new Clerk is doing his very best to try and get to the bottom of matters. This is not his fault. But we need to go further.
“There should be an urgent, external investigation commissioned into the Parish Council’s finances, accounts and paperwork. This should be overseen by Warrington Borough Council, but should be independent of them.”

A Warrington Borough Council spokesperson said: “We are not the regulatory body for parish councils and have very limited powers in relation to the activities of parish councils.”
“We can investigate alleged breaches of a parish council’s Code of Conduct by individual members and make recommendations about that to the parish council, but these recommendations do not have to be accepted by the parish council.
“There is also a requirement under the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 for Parish Councils to keep accounts and to appoint an independent and competent auditor and co-operate with that audit.
“If a parish council does not comply with the law, then members of the public may take legal action through the courts or engage with the Local Auditor. If you have cause to believe that activity has taken place at the Parish Council which might constitute a criminal offence, you may wish to report the matter to Cheshire Police.”
Culcheth & Glazebury Parish Council was approached for comment.


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  1. Why are the details of the finances of Parish Councils not open and transparent, to the extent they are regularly available to local residents? What possible reasons are there for keeping those details from all the people the Parish Councils represents?

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