Contents
FOREWORD - INTRODUCTION BY RICHARD HEATON CB 5
MANAGEMENT COMMENTARY 6
Overview 6
Elections 6
The Legislative Framework 7
Funding Mechanism 8
Financial Review 10
2009 European Parliamentary Election 10
2010 UK Parliamentary General Election 11
UK Parliamentary By-elections 12
Under-spend against budget 13
Receipt and Settlement of Claims 15
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTING OFFICER'S RESPONSIBILITIES 16
GOVERNANCE STATEMENT 17
Overview 17
Scope of responsibility 17
The purpose of the system of internal control 18
Risk Management in the Cabinet Office 18
Risk Management in DCLG 18
Work of Internal Audit 19
Review of effectiveness 19
The timing of the submission of claims by Returning Officers 20
Monitoring of the service level agreement with DCLG 20
Regularity, Propriety and Value for Money 21
Additional measures to improve funding and accounting arrangements for future polls 21
Timetable for submitting claims 22
Funding Review 22
THE CERTIFICATE AND REPORT OF THE COMPTROLLER AND AUDITOR GENERAL TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS 24
Respective responsibilities of the Accounting Officer and auditor 24
Scope of the Audit of the Financial Statements 24
Opinion on Regularity 24
Opinion on financial statements 25
Opinion on other matters 25
Matters on which I report by exception 25
Report 25
Statement of Comprehensive Net Expenditure 26
Statement of Financial Position 27
Statement of Cash Flows 28
Statement of Changes in Taxpayers' Equity 29
Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2013 30
1. Statement of accounting policies 30
2. Election expenses 34
3. Income payable to the Consolidated Fund 35
4. Trade and other receivables 36
5. Cash and cash equivalents 36
6. Trade and other payables 37
7. Financial instruments 38
8. Contingent assets and liabilities 38
9. Losses and special payments 38
10. Related party transactions 38
11. Events after the reporting period 38