Tucked away in the classifieds section of The Argus on July 4 was the Audit of Accounts notice for Brighton and Hove City Council.

Readers might like to know more about this.

During the annual audit period, between July 21 and August 15, any registered elector in the city, or an agent acting on the elector's behalf, has the right to see and copy any financial document held by the council.

Just ask the corporate services directorate in King's House, Grand Avenue, Hove.

It is a good idea to telephone or email first if you want to see a big document or series of documents so they can get them ready for you.

So, if you want to know, for example, how much the council pays NCP for the parking scheme, now's your chance.

Ask to see the contract and get a photocopy of it.

If you want to know what contracts the council has, ask to see them. If you want to know who your councillor has been telephoning on a council-paid telephone, ask to see the records.

The council is not allowed to withhold any contract, receipt, bill, invoice or expenses chit whatsoever.

There are no exceptions, even if the documents involved include commercially sensitive ones.

We pay for our council and it is our right to check the money has been wisely spent - but only for three weeks a year.

After August 15, we have no rights to see any financial document until the audit period next year.

-Rupert Radcliffe-Genge, Brighton