SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE 1The Commission and the Councils
Accounts
18
1
An authority must keep accounts in such form as the Secretary of State may determine.
2
An authority must prepare annual accounts in respect of each financial year in such form as the Secretary of State may determine.
3
An authority must send copies of the annual accounts to the Secretary of State and the Comptroller and Auditor General within such period after the end of the financial year to which the accounts relate as the Secretary of State may determine.
4
The Comptroller and Auditor General must examine, certify and report on the annual accounts and must lay copies of the accounts and of his report before Parliament.
5
In this paragraph and paragraph 19 “financial year”, in relation to an authority, means—
a
the period beginning with the date on which the authority is established and ending with the next 31st March following that date; and
b
each successive period of twelve months ending with 31st March.