Finance & Audit
The Precept
Each year Downton Parish Council calculates how much money it requires to deliver and maintain services within the community. Services such as grass cutting, bin emptying, public toilets, three play parks, the cemetery and the Clerk’s Office.
This sum, called the Precept, is collected by Wiltshire Council as part of a household’s council tax.
Downton Parish Council does not receive any money from central government or Wiltshire Council, nor does it receive any financial support from local business rates which are collected by Wiltshire Council. Other sources of income, such as grants or loans, can be obtained to cover costs of special projects.
Information for residents about the precept increase 2024/25.
Financial Regulations
Financial Regulations – adopted by the Parish Council on 8th April 2024.
These financial regulations govern the conduct of financial management by the council and may only be amended or varied by resolution of the council. Financial regulations are one of the council’s three governing policy documents providing procedural guidance for members and officers. Financial regulations must be observed in conjunction with the council’s standing orders and any individual financial regulations relating to contracts.
The Clerk has been appointed as the Responsible Financial Officer to administer the Council’s financial affairs in accordance with proper practices.
General & Earmarked Reserves Policy – adopted by the Parish Council on 8th April 2024.
Downton Parish Council is required to maintain adequate financial reserves to meet the needs of its operations and to ensure financial security. The General Reserves Policy sets out how the Council will determine and review the level of reserves.
Audit
The Parish Council must deal with its accounts in accordance with Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014, the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015, and the National Audit Office Code of Audit Practice 2015.
Each year, Smaller Authorities are required to conduct a review of the effectiveness of the systems of internal control and prepare an Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) in accordance with proper practices in relation to accounts.
The appointed external auditor is:
PKF Littlejohn LLP (Ref: SBA Team)
15 Westferry Circus
Canary Wharf
London
E14 4HD
The Local Government Transparency Code 2015 sets out what information must be published by local authorities dependent upon their annual turnover.
Financial Reports
Year Ending March 2024 Financial Reports (to be published when available)
| Document Title | Date Adopted | File type |
| Annual Governance Statement – Section 1 | June 2024 |  |
| Accounting Statements – Section 2 | June 2024 | |
| All items of expenditure above £250 | June 2024 | |
| Procurement Information above £5,000 | June 2024 | |
| Award of Grants to Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Organisations | June 2024 | |
| PWLB Loan Approval Letter | May 2023 | |
| Precept Request Return | January 2023 | |
| Annual Internal Audit Report | June 2024 | |
| Variance Report | June 2024 | |
| Bank Reconciliation | June 2024 | |
| Asset Register (including Council land and building assets) | April 2024 |  |
| Notice of Public Rights and Publication of Unaudited AGAR | June 2024 | |
| Notice of the Audit and right to inspect the AGAR | September 2024 | |
| External Auditor’s Report | September 2024 | |
Year Ending March 2023 Financial Reports
| Document Title - click to view | Icon shows File type |
|---|---|
| External Auditor’s Report for 2022-23 |
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| Annual Governance & Accountability Return 2022-23 Signed |
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| Notice of Conclusion of Audit 2022-23 |
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| Notice of the Exercise of Public Rights 2022-23 |
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Year Ending March 2022 Financial Reports
| Document Title - click to view | Icon shows File type |
|---|---|
| External Auditor’s Report for 2021-22 |
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| Annual Governance & Accountability Return 2021-22 Signed |
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| Notice of Conclusion of Audit 2021-22 |
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| Notice of the Exercise of Public Rights 2021-22 |
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Year Ending March 2021 Financial Reports
Year Ending March 2020 Financial Reports
Year Ending March 2019 Financial Reports
| Document Title - click to view | Icon shows File type |
|---|---|
| Annual governance Statement 2018-2019 |
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| External Auditor Report 2018-19 |
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| Downton PC Notice of Conclusion of Audit |
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| Annual Internal Audit Report 2018-19 |
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| Accounting Statements 2018-19 |
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Year Ending March 2018 Financial Reports
| Document Title - click to view | Icon shows File type |
|---|---|
| WI0086 Downton PC Annual Governance & Accountability Report 2017-18 |
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| Explanation of Variances 2017-18 |
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| Downton PC Notice of Conclusion of Audit 2017-18 |
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| Annual Internal Audit Report 2017-18 |
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Year Ending March 2017 Financial Reports
| Document Title - click to view | Icon shows File type |
|---|---|
| Status of Accounts 2016 2017 |
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| Notice of Conclusion of Audit 2017 |
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| Internal Audit Statement 2016 2017 |
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| Annual Governance Statements 2016 2017 |
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| Annual Accounting Statements 2016 2017 |
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