Financial Information

The Town Council's financial year begins on 1st April and ends on 31st March.

Before the start of each financial year, the elected councillors plan ahead and then (usually in January) agree a budget and set a "precept" (the amount of money we need from the Council Tax). The District Council then calculates the Council Tax charge for each property "band" and collects it for us. This year (2017-18), our precept is £229,674 and the annual charge to Council Tax on a Band D property is £149.45. Copies of approved budgets can be viewed and downloaded by clicking on the "Budget" option in the column to the left.

Through the year, our councillors approve every payment we make and compare actual expenditure against the budget as planned. Full lists of approved payments can be found with the minutes of the meetings of the Town Council and the Finance & Personnel Committee. Cashbook balances, bank reconciliation statements (if required) and budget comparisons for each completed financial quarter are included in the relevant minutes of the Finance & Personnel Committee.

Sometimes, we enter into "major contracts". Details of any such contracts can be found by clicking on the "Major Contracts" option in the column to the left. Before making any decision to buy goods or services, we follow a suitable procurement procedure in accordance with our Financial Regulations. The more money involved, the more intricate the process. Larger decisions are always made by elected councillors at an appropriate public meeting. Details of the successful bid are included in the relevant minutes but details of under-bids are not (because this might discourage bidding for contracts with us and that would not be in the public interest).  

After the end of each financial year, the councillors approve our Annual Accounts (usually in June), copies of which can be found by clicking on the "Accounts" option.

Finally, our accounts have to be audited using a standard form set down by central government called an Annual Return. Again, copies of these can be found by choosing the "Annual Returns" option. (Please note: each of these is published in two stages or versions; first as an "unaudited" form once the councillors have approved it, typically in June, and then as a "final" version once the audit process has been completed in or about September.)

Further information may be available by request from the Council Office. A charge may be made if providing the information would require significant time and trouble. A small proportion of our financial information is confidential and will not normally be provided (e.g. how much individual members of staff are paid).