Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to
ensure transparent arrangements for financial reporting by national parks'
authorities. [21280]
Richard Benyon: The
National Park Authorities and the Broads Authority operate within a framework
of local authority legislation. Each authority is required to submit
an annual account and report on the exercise and performance of its functions
to DEFRA as soon as possible after the end of the financial year.
The Audit Commission is responsible for the external
audit arrangements for the authorities, and in addition each authority is
required to maintain adequate and effective internal audit arrangements carried
out in accordance with the standards and guidance issued by the Chartered
Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy. The annual report, accounts and
audit statements are public documents.
The Secretary of State
for Communities and Local Government has announced plans to disband the Audit
Commission. The intention is to have new arrangements in place for auditing
England's local public bodies, including the National Park Authorities, by 2012-13.