Financial Information

The following budget was prepared by the Clerk/RFO and was approved by full Council in January 2023 for the financial year commencing 1st April 2023.

The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a charge on the amount of floor space created by a new development. Its purpose is to raise funds for essential community infrastructure that is required across an area as a community grows.

Reports in relation to the Community Infrastructure Levy can be found here

Welford Parish Council hold contracts for grass cutting during this financial year as follows:

Grass Cutting 2023

The contract for Grass Cutting is held with R & G Grounds Maintenance for the 2022 grass cutting season and is part of a three year contract to 2024.

The Contract value is for £9k which consists of 16 cuts during the grass cutting season of all open spaces within the Parish Council's remit. There will also be one leaf blowing collection in autumn.

Urban Highway Grass Mowing 2023

Welford Parish Council receive an annual agency grant of £520 towards grass cutting costs of the A5199 Northampton Road within the Parish Council's jurisdiction on behalf of Northamptonshire County Council.

The annual audit process is a formal external assessment of the Council's spending for each financial year, along with internal control and management of its business, with the most recent being year ended 31st March 2024.

It is a two step process with the first step being the Internal Audit which is performed by Northants CALC and takes place annually between March and June. The second and final step is via the External Audit, which is performed by PKF Littlejohn and takes place annually between June and September. The conclusion of audit is then published on the Parish Council website from September onwards.

The audit process for year ended 31st March 2024 is now underway with the internal audit completed. All available documentation pertaining to this is below for your review and download should you wish, under the Annual Audit Archive folder.

Exercise of Public Rights

Pursuant to the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015, members of the public are able to request to review any documentation pertaining to the finances of the council and the audit process.

This is the Parish Council's most up to date and comprehensive list of all of its assets and community assets.

Local councils must maintain an asset register to ensure fixed assets are appropriately safeguarded. Once recorded on the Asset Register at acquisition cost, the value of assets must not change from year to year until disposal. Concepts of depreciation and impairment adjustments are not appropriate for local councils.

The Register is confirmed by the Council at the end of each financial year but is a working document over the following financial year, during which Council Officers will update and amend details as necessary.

The definition of fixed assets are property and equipment with a useful life of more than one year used by the Council to deliver its services.

A Fixed Asset Register has four main purposes:

a) It forms a basis for completion of box 9 in the 'Annual Return.'

b) It forms a basis for decisions on risk and insurance issues.

c) It provides information on the age and potential lifespan of certain items.

d) It provides assurance of the continued existence of Council's property.