We acknowledge as the members of: Bootle Parish Council
our responsibility for ensuring that there is a sound system of internal control, including arrangements for the preparation of the Accounting Statements. We confirm, to the best of our knowledge and belief, with respect to the Accounting Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025, that:
| Assertion | Yes | No | ‘Yes’ means that this authority: |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Financial management We have put in place arrangements for effective financial management during the year, and for the preparation of the accounting statements. |
✔ | prepared its accounting statements in accordance with the Accounts and Audit Regulations. | |
| 2. System of internal control We maintained an adequate system of internal control including measures designed to prevent and detect fraud and corruption and reviewed its effectiveness. |
✔ | made proper arrangements and accepted responsibility for safeguarding the public money and resources in its charge. | |
| 3. Compliance with laws and regulations We took all reasonable steps to assure ourselves that there are no matters of actual or potential non-compliance with laws, regulations and Proper Practices that could have a significant financial effect on the ability of this authority to conduct its business or manage its finances. |
✔ | has only done what it has the legal power to do and has complied with Proper Practices in doing so. | |
| 4. Proper opportunity for inspection We provided proper opportunity during the year for the exercise of electors’ rights in accordance with the requirements of the Accounts and Audit Regulations. |
✔ | during the year gave all persons interested the opportunity to inspect and ask questions about this authority’s accounts. | |
| 5. Risk management We carried out an assessment of the risks facing this authority and took appropriate steps to manage those risks, including the introduction of internal controls and/or external insurance cover where required. |
✔ | considered and documented the financial and other risks it faces and dealt with them properly. | |
| 6. Internal audit We maintained throughout the year an adequate and effective system of internal audit of the accounting records and control systems. |
✔ | arranged for a competent person, independent of the financial controls and procedures, to give an objective view on whether internal controls meet the needs of this smaller authority. | |
| 7. Reports from internal and external audit We took appropriate action on all matters raised in reports from internal and external audit. |
✔ | responded to matters brought to its attention by internal and external audit. | |
| 8. Commitments, events, liabilities We considered whether any litigation, liabilities or commitments, events or transactions, occurring either during or after the year-end, have a financial impact on this authority and, where appropriate, have included them in the accounting statements. |
✔ | disclosed everything it should have about its business activity during the year including events taking place after the year end if relevant. | |
| 9. Trust funds (local councils only) In our capacity as the sole managing trustee, we discharged our accountability responsibilities for the fund(s)/assets, including financial reporting and, if required, independent examination or audit. |
✔ |
Note: Please provide explanations to the external auditor on a separate sheet for each ‘No’ response and describe how the authority will address the weaknesses identified. These sheets must be published with the Annual Governance Statement.
This Annual Governance Statement was approved at a meeting of the authority on:
14 May 2025
and recorded as minute reference: 15/25.6
Signed by the Chair of the meeting:
(signature)
Signed by the Clerk:
L. Cooper
Contact email: theclerk@bootleparishcouncil.co.uk