Council budgets and spending

Any organisation must properly plan for its financial future and monitor its actual performance. Sound financial planning underpins the provision of services that offer value for money.

Available here are some of the key documents which the council produces in its financial planning process. The medium term financial strategy aims to offer assurance that the council's spending plans are affordable over the medium term (3 years). The council's annual budget book provides a detailed breakdown of its spending plans for the year across the various services that it provides.

At the conclusion of the financial year the council is required to produce the statement of accounts. These are prepared in accordance with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy's Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom. Each year the statement of accounts are audited by the council's external auditors, who then produce and issue an annual audit and inspection letter. The council advertises to the general public at the commencement and conclusion of the audit of accounts.

Also provided here are details of the council's procurement activities, together with details for businesses on how they may become a supplier to the council.