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 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_sections_1-5
Monitoring and control
At every Council meeting the Budget is monitored and explanations for any amounts under or over expenditure are discussed. Also, expenditure can only be approved at full Council meetings. The Council’s finances are audited annually both internally (an independent official nominated by the Council) and externally (by auditors appointed by the Government’s Audit Commission).
Income and Expenditure
BUDGET INFORMATION
Year ending March 2020
This is the Approved BUDGET for 2019-2020
Year ending March 2019
AUDIT INFORMATION
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
CONTRACTS
The following document details contracts awarded
OTHER INFORMATION