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FINANCE
Under the Local Government Finance Act 1992 ss39,41,52,51 and Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regs 1992 No. 613 art 4. (1), the Parish Council has the power to raise income to meet its expenses by means of an annual charge, the 'precept', from those who reside within its parish.
The precept is set each year by the Parish Council, as part of its annual budgeting process and is collected on the Parish Council's behalf by Babergh District Council, the authority responsible for collecting Council Tax within its area.
An Advisory Finance Group (AFG) is appointed every year by the Parish Council, usually at the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council in May.
October - to discuss the current budget, to make suggestions and recommendations for the following year's budget which includes the precept and to review various financial documents.
April - to discuss how effective the budget setting process had been and to consider any improvements.
At the AFG in October 2018 the Terms of Reference were introduced and approved by Full Council on the 6th November 2018. Please see below for the current version.
The AFG regularly reviews Parish Council financial documents, which are then put before the Full Council for approval. The Financial Regulations are reviewed annually.
Please visit our Internal Controls Statement for 2026.
Please view our current Financial Standing Orders and Financial Regulations.
Financial Risk Management and Reserves Policy for 2026
The Asset Register (items that the Parish Council own)
The 2025 - 2026 Financial Accounting Statements can be viewed here and the Bank reconcilliation here.
Our 2025-2026 Annual Governance Statement can be viewed here.
Our Explanation of Variances can be found here.
The Internal internal audit report of the council can be viewed here.
Members of the Parish (who are listed on the current Electoral) have a right to view all documents relating to Council Finance and audit.
The LOCAL AUDIT AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT 2014 and THE ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT REGULATIONS 2015, which are issued from time to time under this Act, set out how local councils should behave when accounting for the public funds they manage and what rights local taxpayers have in relation to these accounts. The Parish Council submiits its accounts to two seperate auditors per annum and the findings are recorded on the Annual Return Form. The financial year runs from 1st April to 31st March.
The Internal Audit, carried out by a company totally independent from the Parish Council, looks at the internal workings of the council e.g. the minutes, insurance policies, along with the Financial Management of Risk and the accounts. The Internal Audit Company for year ending March 2025 is Heelis and Lodge..
The Annual Return accompanied by various documents are then sent to the External Auditor who will carry out an external audit and subsequently return a report.
Members of the Parish (who are listed on the Electoral Roll) have the right through several pieces of legislation to view the Financial Accounts. This is known as the 'Notice of Public Rights and Publication of Unaudited Annual Governance and Accountablity Return
Any member of the parish can view and take copies of the Financial Information. Please contact the Parish Clerk via email clerk@chelmondiston-pc.gov.uk to book an appointment.
To view Archive Financial Information please click the link below
PARISH COUNCIL FUNDING/GRANTS
The Parish Council endeavours to ensure we remain a strong, healthy, vibrant community in which the needs and aspirations of everyone are met. The Council allocates funds from it's budget to support groups in our community who share our committment.
Requests are considered at the AFG in October for payment in the following financial year (April). However, if there is an urgent need for funding please contact the Parish Clerk.
For our Funding/Grants Policy please view the link
For our 2026/2027 Budget please use the following link 2026/2027 Budget
For an application form please see below. if you require an application in WORD please contact the Parish Clerk, clerk@chelmondiston-pc.gov.uk
Application Form - Please use this form to apply for a grant from the Parish Council.
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