Notice of Public Rights and Publication of Unaudited Annual Governance & Accountability Return 2021/22

NOTICE OF PUBLIC RIGHTS AND PUBLICATION OF UNAUDITED ANNUAL GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY RETURN
ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 Sections 26 and 27
The Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/234)

NOTICE

1. Date of announcement Tuesday 21st June 2022

2. Each year the smaller authority’s Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) needs to be reviewed by an external auditor appointed by Smaller Authorities’ Audit Appointments Ltd. The unaudited AGAR has been published with this notice. As it has yet to be reviewed by the appointed auditor, it is subject to change as a result of that review.

Any person interested has the right to inspect and make copies of the accounting records for the financial year to which the audit relates and all books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers, receipts and other documents relating to those records must be made available for inspection by any person interested. For the year ended 31 March 2022, these documents will be available on reasonable notice by application to:

        Mark Westwood, Responsible Financial Officer
        The Old Monastery, Windhill, Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 2ND
        01279 712140, mark.westwood@bishopsstortfordtc.gov.uk

       commencing on Wednesday 22nd June 2022

       and ending on   Tuesday 2nd August 2022

3. Local government electors and their representatives also have:

  • The opportunity to question the appointed auditor about the accounting records; and
  • The right to make an objection which concerns a matter in respect of which the appointed auditor could either make a public interest report or apply to the court for a declaration that an item of account is unlawful. Written notice of an objection must first be given to the auditor and a copy sent to the smaller authority.

The appointed auditor can be contacted at the address in paragraph 4 below for this purpose between the above dates only.

4. The smaller authority’s AGAR is subject to review by the appointed auditor under the provisions of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014, the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 and the NAO’s Code of Audit Practice 2015. The appointed auditor is:

PKF Littlejohn LLP (Ref: SBA Team)
15 Westferry Circus
Canary Wharf
London E14 4HD
(sba@pkf-l.com)

5. This announcement is made by Mark Westwood, Responsible Financial Officer

 

View the Notice of Public Rights, Summary of Your Rights, Internal Audit Report 2021/22 and the Unaudited Annual Governance & Accountability Return 2021/22.

Work starts on new Skate Park

Work on the new Skate Park starts this week. The Youth shelter is being removed on 4th May, in preparation (it will be reinstated and repainted as part of the works) and the contractors for the build will be onsite later during week commencing 3rd May. The works are expected to last about 12 weeks.

Work on the wider Castle Park Project will start in June/July. 2022.

Tendering for Tree Work in Bishop’s Stortford

Following tree surveys undertaken by Bishop’s Stortford Town Council, a quantity of work has been identified to improve the health and appearance of trees with the town.
Some of the work is urgent; however most of it could be scheduled to suit the contractor who gains the contract.

STAGE 1 – Start immediately to 31st October 2022
Works to be completed within six months
All work must be completed by 31st October 2022

STAGE 2 – 1st November to 31st March 2023
Works to be completed within the dates shown
All work must be completed by 31st March 2023

STAGE 3 – 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024
Works to be completed within the dates shown
All work must be completed by 31st March 2024

If you are interested in submitting a quotation, and would like to seek further information on the surveys, please contact Sim Richardson (sim.richardson@bishopsstortfordtc.gov.uk) on 01279 712142.

Capital Grants Programme Announced

Bishop’s Stortford Town Council today announces the availability of up to £500,000 to provide capital grants to local non-commercial organisations which benefit the residents of the Town.  Grants from this fund will be for a maximum value of £50,000 per organisation, and any organisation may apply for only one grant.  Organisations which were awarded a grant in November 2021 under the Major Sports Grants fund are not eligible to apply.  Grant applications must be for capital purcahses only, revenue expenses, other than those directly required to implement the capital project (eg costs of design, planning consent etc) will not be funded.

For further details and to apply please visit www.bishopsstortfordtc.gov.uk/grants and scroll down to find 'Capital Grants Programme - Tranche 2'

We are Hiring!

We are currently recruiting for two posts in our Tourism, Events and Markets team.  These posts, which offer exceptionally varied and interesting roles combining several areas of the Councils engagement with the Town, will suit enthusiastic candidates with project management, administrative, events or customer service experience with a 'can do' attitude and the willingness to learn new skills.  Full training will be given.  Full details here 

Farmers and Crafts Market 2 April

The Farmers and Crafts Market is this Saturday (2 April) on North Street between 9:30 and 1:30! Come and support local traders that specialise in handcrafts and homemade goods. 

Check out delicious Indian street food and spice mixes at the Farmers and Crafts Market this Saturday! Menas indian banquet will be cooking fresh curries, samosas and bhajis 

Interested in local artists and artwork? Bishop's Stortford Art Society will have a great range of paintings, crafts, sketches and more! 

Support local bees and beekeepers by visiting the Bishops Stortford Beekeepers - check out their range of local honey and bee products.

Pick up delicious homemade chutneys and pickles from Moggies Pickles.

The Jam Shed will be returning with their great range of handmade Jams, jellies, cordials and more!

Rawesome cakes are back a great range of raw vegan cakes and sweet treats. Look how delicious they look, we can’t wait!

Italian Paradiso flavour will be bringing traditional Italian homemade pizza, pasta and breads. Don’t miss out on an authentic taste of Italy.

Funky Footstall will have handcraft luxury footstalls which can be made from bespoke fabrics and made to order.

Stort Valley Spirits is back with their exclusive spirits including gin, whiskey, rum and vodka.

Christmas Lights Tender

Bishop's Stortford Town Council is tendering for the Town Centre Christmas Lights between 2022/23 and 2025/26. Further details can be found here.

We have vacancies!

We are currently recruiting for two posts in our Tourism, Events and Markets team.  These posts, which offer exceptionally varied and interesting roles combining several areas of the Councils engagement with the Town, will suit enthusiastic candidates with management, administrative, events or customer service experience with a 'can do' attitude and the willingness to learn new skills.  Full training will be given.  Full details here.