Local Government expenditure accounts for about 25 % of total
Public Sector spending.
Local Authorities in Great
Britain raise revenue through the Council Tax system, which meets
on average about 25 % of their revenue expenditure.
Local Authority spending is
financed primarily by grants from Central Government, by the
redistribution of funds from the collection pool in respect of
National Non Domestic Rates, (Business Rates) and by a local
property tax levied on domestic properties (Council Tax).
Local Authorities' annual
Statement of Accounts must be audited by an independent auditor
appointed by the Audit Commission in England and Wales, or in
Scotland by the Accounts Commission for Scotland. In Northern
Ireland, the chief local government auditor carries out this
role.
Local electors have a right to
inspect the Annual Statement of Accounts, asking questions of the
Local Authority and/or lodge objections directly with the appointed
auditor.
Print page