The Finances of The Council

The day-to-day services we provide are paid for by a combination of the Council Tax and a grant we get from the Government.

Government Grant pays for roughly 36% of our expenditure whilst Council Tax pays for the balance.

We prepare annual spending plans (revenue budgets) setting out in details how we intend to spend this money.

We also prepare a four year plan of what we will spend to improve services in the longer term. This is our Capital Programme.

At the end of each financial year, (which runs from 1st April to 31st March) we prepare a Statement of Accounts showing how the money has been spent. This is independently audited and certified by the Audit Commission. We receive an "Audit and Inspection Letter" from the Audit Commission that summarises the conclusions of their work in each year.

The Council sets a range of fees and charges covering everything from council house rents to zoo licence fees, from cesspool emptying charges to planning application fees.