Financial & Transparency
We are committed to transparency in all our dealings, including how and where tax payers’ money is spent.
Publication of this information will also improve value for money in the long term by allowing residents to challenge the Parish Council on how it spends money.
Any requests for further details about these items will be dealt with under freedom of information provisions.
How the Parish Council is funded
The Parish Council is funded through a precept and income it raises through its facilities and services. The precept is collected by the billing authority (in this case Milton Keynes Council) and represents a tax collected within your council tax.
As part of the Parish Council's commitment to be open and transparent with its residents we publish the information.
Accounts
The Parish Council financial year begins on the 1st April and finishes on the 31st March each year. At each meeting the Councillors approve the payments to be made following the meeting and every other month Councillors will receive and approve a bank reconciliation.
Budget
Payments over £500
Contracts over £5,000
Internal Audit
An Internal Auditor is appointed each year to review the accounts and all aspects of internal control. The internal auditor is an independent and competent person appointed by the Council and cannot be involved in any business with the council or a serving member of the council. The internal auditor must report to the Council and sign a report on the Annual Return to confirm that the councils system of control is in place and operating.
Audit Report 2019/20
Interim Report 2019/20
External Audit
The Parish Council must approve the accounts and Annual Return on or before the 30th June, so that these are received by the External Auditor by the first week in July.
The annual return presents for electors and local taxpayer’s the councils accounting statements and governance arrangements in the year and the external auditors opinion on them.
The external audit is the process by which an auditor, reviews the councils annual return and other documents as required and reports to the council and electors. The law requires the external audit to be carried out to ensure that the risks to public money have been managed. The Audit Commission appoints auditors for all parishes in a county (known as external auditors) to review the councils annual return.
Report 2019/20
Public Notices
Notices will be made available to residents to inform them of their rights to review the unaudited annual governance and accountability report and the conclusion of audit once the external auditor has completed their checks.
Notice of Public Rights
Notice of Conclusion of Audit
Annual Governance and Accountability Return
An Annual Governance and Accountability Return sets out Accounting Statements and an Annual Governance Statement for each financial year. These statements and their supporting documentation are audited by the Council's Internal Auditor and sent to the External Auditor for a limited assurance review.
Annual Governance Statement
Statement of Accounts
Explanation of Variances
Other transparency information
Senior Salaries &
Organisation Chart
Grant
Details
Land &
Assets
Model Publication
& FOI0
Contract
Details
