Budgets and Precepts
The preparation of an annual budget is one of the key statutory tasks to be undertaken by an authority, irrespective of its size. The budget has three main purposes:
• it results in the authority setting the precept for the year.• subject to the authority’s Financial Regulations, it gives the clerk and other officers overall authority to make spending commitments in accordance with the plans approved by members; and • it provides a basis for monitoring progress during the year by comparing actual spending against planned spending.
- 2025 2026 Approved Budget Precept Announcement 2025/26
- 2024 2025 Approved Budget Precept Announcement 2024/25
- 2023 2024 Approved Budget
Expenditure over £500
Internal audits
- Annual Internal audit Report 2023/24 for AGAR
- Final Internal Audit 2023/24
- Annual Internal audit Report 2022/23 for AGAR
- Annual Internal audit Report 2021/23 for AGAR
Annual Governance and Accountability Returns (AGAR)
The AGAR is a set of documents and financial statements that local councils are required to prepare and submit each year. It is an essential part of the external audit process and serves several purposes:
- Accountability: The AGAR provides a transparent and accountable overview of a council’s financial activities, governance procedures, and decision-making processes. It allows the council to demonstrate its stewardship of public funds and adherence to legal and financial regulations.
- Compliance: The AGAR helps ensure that local councils comply with statutory requirements and regulations. It includes information on the council’s financial management, internal control procedures, and adherence to relevant laws and regulations.
- Transparency: By making the AGAR publicly available, local councils provide transparency and openness to their constituents. It allows residents and other stakeholders to review the council’s financial performance, budgeting decisions, and governance arrangements.
- External Audit: The AGAR serves as a basis for the external audit of a local council’s financial statements. Once the council completes the AGAR, it is submitted to an external auditor appointed by the Audit Commission or another approved auditor. The auditor reviews the AGAR and issues an audit opinion, assessing the council’s compliance and the accuracy of its financial statements.
- Financial Assurance: The AGAR helps provide assurance to the council and its stakeholders that the financial operations are conducted in a responsible and proper manner. It ensures that the council’s accounts are accurate, complete, and reflective of the council’s financial position
- Sections 1 and 2 Annual Governance & Accounting statements 2023/24
- Section 3 External Audit report/certificate and Conclusion of Audit 2023/24
- Sections 1 and 2 Annual Governance & Accounting Statements 2022/23
- Sections 1 and 2 Annual Governance & Accounting Statements 2021/22
- Section 3 External Auditor Report 2020/21
- Sections 1 to 3 Annual Governance & Accountability Return 2019/20
- Section 1 to 3 Annual Governance & Accountability & Annual internal Audit Return 2018/19
Annual CIL reports
The Community Infrastructure Levy (the ‘levy’) is a charge which can be levied by local authorities on new development in their area. It is an important tool for local authorities to use to help them deliver the infrastructure needed to support development in their area.