Finance

The Local Government Transparency Code 2015 (‘the Code’) came into effect on 1 April 2015.
The Code is issued by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government in exercise of powers under section 2 of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980, and replaces any previous codes issued in relation to authorities in England under those powers.

Thorpe St Andrew Town Council meets the definition of a local authority covered by the requirements of the Code, defined as a ‘parish council which has gross annual income or expenditure (whichever is higher) exceeding £200,000’

Requirements

The Town Council complies with the requirements of the Code where applicable, by publishing the information on its website. The requirements of the code stipulate:

  • Expenditure exceeding £500 – see here
  • Government Procurement Card transactions – n/a
  • Procurement Information (details of every invitation for tender exceeding £5,000 and details of any contract, commissioned activity exceeding £5,000 – see below
  • Additionally, local authorities are required to publish the following information annually:
  • Local Authority Land – see below
  • Social housing assets – N/A 
  • Grants to voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations 
  • Organisational chart – see here
  • Trade union facility time – N/A 
  • Parking account – N/A 
  • Parking Spaces – N/A
  • Senior salaries – N/A 
  • Constitution
    – Local Councils, unlike principal authorities, are not required by law to adopt a constitution, but we have adopted one. We are required to adopt Standing Orders, Financial Regulations and other governing documents which you can find on our Governance page
  • Fraud – N/A 
  • Waste contracts – N/A

Our financial year runs from 1 April to 31 March. We agree on an annual budget in January each year and also decide how much the annual Precept* should be set at. We submit our annual accounts in the form of an Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) to the external auditor.

* The Town Council is empowered to raise money for its activities through a tax (the Precept) on the Town’s residents which is collected on their behalf by Broadland District Council, as an addition to the District and County Council Tax. This is then paid to the Town Council in two equal installments.

Notice of Conclusion of Audit 2023/24

Download PDFConclusion of Audit
 Download PDFTSA Financial Regs April 2021