Financial Information

Cockshutt cum Petton Parish Council aims to give value for money as it raises and spends money for the benefit of the local community.  It makes it clear where the money goes and is accountable for sound financial management.

A Parish Council that spends taxpayers’ money has a duty to do so lawfully and must be confident that whenever it spends any money

  • it has the legal power (it is not acting beyond its powers)
  • it follows lawful procedures
  • it does not take unnecessary risks
  • transactions are transparent
  • councillors conform to standards in public decision making.

There is legislation that provides a detailed framework that Parish Councils must follow.  Parish Councils must take responsibility for

  • appointing an appropriate officer to manage its finances
  • following lawful and proper financial procedures
  • deciding how much precept (the amount of money Shropshire Council collects on behalf of the Parish Council) to ask for from the council tax
  • establishing sound internal control (audit) systems
  • setting up its own financial regulations
  • formally accepting the end of year accounts
  • submitting what is required to the external auditor
  • publishing the accounts and the results of audit

Monitoring and control

At every Council meeting the budget is monitored and explanations for any amounts under or over expenditure are discussed.  Also, expenditure can only be approved at full Council meetings.  The Council’s finances are audited annually both internally (an independent official nominated by the Council) and externally (by auditors appointed by the Government’s Audit Commission).

The following document details contracts awarded

Contracts Awarded 

The following documents have been approved by the Parish Council

Financial Regulations 

Community Grant Policy 

Risk Management Scheme 

Statement of Internal Control