Finance

The Clerk is our Responsible Financial Officer, and as such one of her duties is to produce monthly financial statements showing our income and expenditure set against our yearly budget. The Finance Committee ensures good practice and standards and assists in drafting the budget every year..

We receive an annual precept from Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council, together with a litter warden grant and grass cutting grant. These form the basis of our income, together with other grants which we may apply for towards the costs of our various projects.

All income and expenditure is carefully planned and accounted for. Every year we are audited initially internally and subsequently externally by the Audit Commission, a detailed process which ensures that we are adhering to the correct practices.

We produce a list of income and expenditure at each of our monthly parish meetings and these can be viewed in the monthly minutes.

 

 

Powers to Spend 

The power to spend for parish and town councils in the United Kingdom is derived from their legal status as local authorities. This power is governed by the Local Government Act 1972 and subsequent legislation, which sets out the powers, duties, and responsibilities of local authorities.

Parish and town councils have the power to spend money on the provision of goods, services, and works that are necessary or desirable for, or in connection with, the exercise of their functions. This includes spending on community facilities, maintenance of public spaces, and provision of services such as parks and open spaces.

The expenditure of parish and town councils must be in accordance with their budgets and financial regulations, and must be authorised by the council's elected members. The council must also ensure that it has sufficient funds available to meet its obligations and maintain its statutory responsibilities.

It is important for parish and town councils to consider their statutory obligations and to ensure that their spending is in line with both their financial regulations and the law. They must also be transparent and accountable in their use of public funds and must keep accurate records of their financial transactions.