Finance and Audit

Financial Management

A local council is a corporate body, a separate legal entity from its members, and a local authority. Therefore its decisions are the responsibility of the whole council and all councillors share collectiveresponsibility for the financial management of the
council.

Financial rules and procedures set by government through various statutes and regulations are designed to protect the council and ensure that it takes no unacceptable risks with public money. The rules protect community assets and aim to make best use of public money.

The Responsible Financial Officer, who is also the Proper Officer and Parish Clerk, ensures that the records and accounts of the council are prepared in accordance with specified “proper practices” and kept up to date.

The Parish Council can only spend money if it has a statutory power to do so and there are a wide range of powers under different acts of Parliament which can be used.

A link to the Financial Regulations can be found below.