Oswestry Rural Parish Council aims to give value for money as it raises and spends money for the benefit of the local community. It makes it clear where the money goes and is accountable for sound financial management.
Parish Councils that spend taxpayers’ money have a duty to do so lawfully and must be confident that whenever it spends any money
- it has the legal power; it is not acting ultra vires (beyond its powers)
- it follows lawful procedures
- it does not take unnecessary risks
- transactions are transparent
- councillors conform to standards in public decision making.
There is legislation that provides a detailed framework that Parish Councils must follow. Parish Councils must take responsibility for
- appointing an appropriate officer to manage its finances
- following lawful and proper financial procedures
- deciding how much precept (the amount of money Shropshire Council collects on behalf of the Parish Council) to ask for from the council tax
- establishing sound internal control (audit) systems
- setting up its own financial regulations
- formally accepting the end of year accounts
- submitting what is required to the external auditor
- publishing the accounts and the results of audit
The Council’s finances are governed by its Financial Regulations
The Council’s investments are managed by its Investment Strategy
The Council must manage its finances in accordance with legislation and guidance can be found in these two publications:
The Good Councillors Guide to Finance and Transparency 2017
Governance and Accountability for Smaller Authorities in England 2018
Monitoring and control
At each Council meeting expenditure is approved and the budget is monitored to show any amounts under or over budget. The Council’s finances are audited annually both internally by an independent official nominated by the Council, and externally by auditors who carry out an inspection in accordance with guidance issued by the National Audit Office on behalf of the Comptroller and Auditor General.
Income and Expenditure – April 2019 to March 2020
BUDGET INFORMATION Year ending March 2020
Year ending March 2019
AUDIT INFORMATION
Year ending March 2019
Public Notice a summary of your rights
Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2018/2019
External auditor‘s conclusion
Year Ending March 2018
Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2017/18 Part 3 (including Internal Audit Report) – please note the Accounting Statement is unaudited by the External Auditors
Explanation of Significant Variances
Year Ending March 2017
External Audit Report – if you wish to inspect the original document please contact the Clerk
Governance Statement – if you wish to inspect the original document please contact the Clerk
Accounting Statement – if you wish to inspect the original document please contact the Clerk
Explanation of Significant Variances
Year Ending March 2016
External Auditor Certificate and Report – if you wish to inspect the original document please contact the Clerk
Governance Statement – if you wish to inspect the original document please contact the Clerk
Accounting Statement – if you wish to inspect the original document please contact the Clerk
Explanation of Significant Variances
Year Ending March 2015
Accounting Statement – if you wish to inspect the original document please contact the Clerk
Annual Governance Statement – if you wish to inspect the original document please contact the Clerk
External Audit Report – if you wish to inspect the original document please contact the Clerk
Neighbourhood Fund Annual Monitoring Report
GRANTS
Grants are awarded in accordance with our Community Grant Policy
All applicants must complete our Community Grant Application Form
Approved Grant applications 2019
CONTRACTS
The following document details contracts awarded