Council finance and assets
How Parish Councils are financed
Control of finances
The Parish Council's finances are managed by a person designated as the Responsible Financial Officer. This person is currently the Parish Clerk who is responsible for proper administration of the Council's affairs and producing financial management information. The role of the Responsible Financial Officer and the management of the Council's finances are covered in detail by the Hatherton and Walgherton Parish Council Financial Regulations which can be downloaded here. The Annual Governance and Accountability Returns for recent years are available from a link lower down on this page.
Sources of income
The council gets its money primarily from a portion of the Council Tax levied on residents in the parish. The portion received by the parish is called the annual precept and after a budget has been prepared, the parish has some freedom to decide on the level of the precept. The amounts and sources of income can be seen on the financial reports.
Expenses
The council spends its money on a limited range of items as we do not have to manage the upkeep of assets such as a village hall. However, we do maintain one street light at parish council expense, hire a room for council meetings, pay for insurance, pay a fee to be affiliated to the Cheshire Association of Local Councils and provide a salary for the part-time Parish Clerk. Details of expenses can be seen by referring to the various financial reports available from this page.
Budget
To ensure that finances are controlled, the Parish Council sets a budget at the start of the year. Budgets can be seen found in the column to the right.
Performance against the budget can be seen in the financial statements available on this page.
Expenditure above £100
The council is obliged to notify the public of any items of expenditure above £100. Such items can be found in the finance reports and annual reports to the right.
Register of gifts and hospitality
The council must record any gifts, benefits or hospitality with a value in excess of £100 accepted by a member. There are currently no items on this register but should any need to be recorded, they will be listed here..
Audit
The council has to meet audit requirements and the accounts are audited internally once a year. The audit ensures that not only is the money handled correctly but also that the council meets its obligations under the Financial Regulations. The internal auditor provides a report which is kept with the council's records.
Assets
Public land and building assets
The council does not own public land or buildings but has responsibility for the street lamp at the Boar's Head crossroads.
Other fixed assets
The Parish Council owns various assets. The detail can be downloaded here.
- Asset Register (Draft 27th April 2024)
The table below is a summary of the detail (showing insurance values):
| Item | Value | Further information |
| Notice Boards (two) | £1200 | Noticeboards at the Boar's Head crossroads and the Crewe Road/Park Lane/Hunsterson Road crossroads. Purchased 2021 and pre-2011 respectively |
| Streetlight (one) | £300 | At the Boar's Head crossroads purchased pre-2011 |
| Walgherton Village Sign (one) | £400 | Purchased pre-2011 |
| Litter bin (one) | £300 | At Oakes Corner layby. Purchased 2020 |
| Parish Council laptop (one) | £340 | Kept by and used by the Parish Clerk. Purchased 01/05/2014 |
| Parish boundary signs | £700 | Purchased 2024 |
Finance reports
The last year's reports are shown below. To see more, go to the archive.
16th September 2024No Doc
21st May 2024
(end of year)
Reports below are the last two to be available at present.
Annual budget
A budget is prepared each year and approved at the first meeting after start of the tax year.
Annual governance and accountability returns
These statements are prepared by the Responsible Financial Officer, approved by the parish council and signed by the Parish Council chairman.
Internal audit report
The internal audit report is a check on the financial documents undertaken by an independent person.
10th May 2022
(To be approved with actions on 16th May 2022)
Over £100 expenses
Expenses over £100 incurred during the year.