Finance

Where does the money come from?

How is the precept set?

Accountability

How do the electors know what is going on?

Can I request that money is spent in the parish?

Can the parish council support local groups?

Budget 2006/2007

Councils' Accounts - year ended 31st march 2007

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	4 bus shelters
	1 community hall
	4 areas of open space incl. seats and bins
	War memorial, burial ground and churchyard at Boxley church
	Boxley, Grove Green, Sandling and Walderslade Village signs
	12 noticeboards.

	1 nature reserve (Vinters Valley Park)
	2 community halls (Grove Green & Sandling)

Where does the money come from?
The income of a parish council is derived from the parish precept, a tax paid by the householders of the parish and collected on its behalf by the District Council, and any grants received. Boxley Parish Council also receives income from the hire of Beechen hall and its burial ground but these are often balanced by the expenditure needed for these two community facilities.
How is the precept set?
The parish council decides annually what the precept should be. It does this by setting a budget that forecasts the expected expenditure, income and the reserves. Members then decide what precept needs to be set.
Accountability.
The parish council is held accountable and monitored in many ways.
Internal audit. Councillors undertake two internal audits per year to check that the systems and finances are run correctly. They also check invoices and sign the cheques.
Independent Internal Audit. Legislation requires that there is an independent internal check on the systems and finances of the parish council.
Annual Audit. Legislation requires that the parish council be audited annually by the Audit Commission. Part of this audit is a period where electors have access to the accounts and can raise questions with the auditor. After the audit the response is notified to the council and also to the parish. Electors have free access, via the website and parish office to the annual return from the Audit Commission. Further details can be requested from the parish office.                                            
How do the electors know what is going on?
Unless tenders or items that are confidential are being discussed members of the public are welcome at all the council and committee meetings. Even when it is planned to discuss confidential items this is shown on the agenda and a reason why the public will be excluded is given. Boxley Parish Council endeavours to be accountable and open in its financial matters and its budget and accounts are placed on the parish council
website.
Can I request that money is spent in the parish? 
Yes. Contact the parish office or your local councillor to request that a project is considered. You can even make the request in person by attending a councillor committee meeting.
Can the parish council support local groups?
Yes and in some cases it already does. Details of the grant scheme can be obtained from the website or parish office.

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Budget 2006/2007