Guide for the Public & Taxpayers

Empowering Public Oversight

As a member of the public, you have the right to understand and verify how your tax money is being spent. Tally Sticks provides you with powerful tools to track government spending, verify claims, and ensure public funds are used appropriately.

Example: Public Spending Report

Here's what you might see when viewing a local infrastructure project:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ 📊 Public Spending Report: Infrastructure Project    │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Project: Town Centre Redevelopment - Phase 1        │
│ Department: Anytown Council - Infrastructure         │
│ Status: In Progress (Started: 01/03/2025)           │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Financial Overview                                  │
│ ├─ Total Budget: £5,000,000                        │
│ ├─ Spent to Date: £1,250,000 (25%)                 │
│ ├─ Committed: £2,000,000                           │
│ └─ Remaining: £1,750,000                           │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Recent Transactions                                 │
│ ├─ 15/05/2025 | BuildIt Ltd                        │
│ │  Site Preparation Services                        │
│ │  Amount: £75,000 | Status: Verified ✓            │
│ │  [View Details] [View Audit Trail]               │
│ │                                                  │
│ ├─ 28/04/2025 | PlanArch LLP                      │
│ │  Architectural Design Services                    │
│ │  Amount: £25,000 | Status: Verified ✓            │
│ │  [View Details] [View Audit Trail]               │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Transparency Metrics                                │
│ ├─ Documentation Score: 92%                        │
│ ├─ Verification Status: Complete                    │
│ ├─ Public Access Level: Full                       │
│ └─ Data Quality Score: High                        │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ [Download Report] [Share] [Submit Inquiry]          │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Key Features for Public Users

• Spending Search: Look up specific projects, departments, or spending categories
• Transaction Verification: Check the validation status and audit trail of any public transaction
• Project Tracking: Monitor the progress and spending of ongoing public projects
• Document Access: View public documents and supporting evidence

How to Verify Public Spending

1. Access the Portal
   • Visit the public portal at portal.tallysticks.uk
   • No login required for basic public information
   • Optional registration for alerts and saved searches
2. Find Information
   • Use the search function to find specific projects or spending
   • Filter by department, date range, or amount
   • View trending or recently updated items
3. Verify Transactions
   • Check validation status and verification details
   • Review supporting documentation
   • Follow the audit trail on the blockchain
4. Take Action
   • Submit inquiries about specific transactions
   • Request additional information
   • Report concerns or discrepancies

Understanding Transparency Metrics

• Documentation Score: Measures the completeness and quality of available documentation
• Verification Status: Shows whether all required validations are complete
• Public Access Level: Indicates how much information is publicly available
• Data Quality Score: Rates the accuracy and reliability of the data

Best Practices for Public Users

• Regular Monitoring: Set up alerts for areas of interest and check updates regularly
• Documentation: Save or download important reports and findings
• Verification: Always check the audit trail and validation status
• Engagement: Participate in public discussions and submit inquiries when needed