Finance
Budget & Precept
On an annual basis, during December / January, the town council consider and set a budget. This sets out what the council is planning on spending money on in the next financial year.
On the basis of this budget the council then set a precept. This is collected for us by Central Bedfordshire Council. This is the main source of income received by the council. Other sources of income include sports fees, burial fees, event fees, bank and investment income and sponsorship
Information in respect of service charges for Central Bedfordshire council, the Police Authority and the Fire and Resuce Authority can be found on your individual council tax bill or visiting www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.
Houghton Regis Town Council Budget
Annual Return
Local Councils in England with an annual turnover of £6.5 million or less are required by law to complete an Annual Return.
The Annual Return and statement of accounts for the current financial year is considered and approved at the Town Council meeting at the end of June. It is then submitted for external audit.
2023/24
- Notice of Electors Rights
- Annual Governance & Accountability Return 2023/24 Form 3 – audited
- Notice of Conclusion of Audit
- Supporting Statements
- Internal Audit 2023/24
- AGAR Completion Letter
2022/23
- Notice of Electors Rights
- Annual Governance & Accountability Return 2022/23 Form 3 – audited
- Supporting Statements
- Internal Audit 2022/23
- Notice of Conclusion of Audit
- AGAR Completion Letter
2021/22
- Notice of Electors Rights
- Annual Governance & Accountability Return 2021/22 Form 3 – Audited
- Supporting Statements
- Internal Audit 2021/22
- Notice of Conclusion of Audit
- AGAR Completion Letter
Accessibility Regulations HRTC and the External Auditors are aware that the Accounts and Audit Regulations requirement for a physical ‘wet ink’ signature on the original AGAR, does not allow parish council’s to fully comply with the Accessibility Regulations. The National Audit Office are aware that the two pieces of legislation are not compatible, as the Audited AGAR is a scan and it is not be fully compliant with the Accessibility Regulations.
2020/21
- Annual Governance & Accountability Return 2020/21 Form 3 – Audited
- Supporting Statements
- Internal Audit Report 2020/21
- Notice of Conclusion of Audit
- AGAR Completion Letter
Accessibility Regulations HRTC and the External Auditors are aware that the Accounts and Audit Regulations requirement for a physical ‘wet ink’ signature on the original AGAR, does not allow parish council’s to fully comply with the Accessibility Regulations. The National Audit Office are aware that the two pieces of legislation are not compatible, as the Audited AGAR is a scan and it is not be fully compliant with the Accessibility Regulations.
Expenditure
The Town Council incurs expenditure to run the services it provides and cover operational costs. These include:
- Corporate management
- Democratic representation and management
- Central services
- Personnel costs
- Village green recreation ground and pavilion
- Parkside recreation ground and pavilion
- Tithe Farm recreation ground and pavilion
- Orchard Close recreation ground and pavilion
- Moore Crescent recreation ground and pavilion
- Moore Crescent Bolwing green
- Windsor Drive recreation ground
- Houghton Regis Cemetery
- All Saints Churchyard
- Dog Kennel Down public open space
- Play areas x 5, multi use games areas x 2 & skate park
- Street furniture (public seats, some bus shelters, notice boards)
- Outside services
- Community events
- Childrens playschemes
- Community services
- Town Centre public toilets
- Residents newsletter (Town Crier)
- Town Council website
- Town guide
- Pride of Houghton Awards
- Community Grants scheme
- Community Safety
- Christmas lights
The Town Council finances are managed under the approved Standing orders and Financial Regulations.
Income
The Council is largely funded through its Precept. This is the amount of money the Town Council requests Central Bedfordshire Council to collect on its behalf from Houghton Regis residents.
Additional sources of income include income from lettings, sports hire charges, bank interest, cemetery fees, event fees, outside services, and developer funding.
Fees & Charges
Please follow these links to view the fees and charges for hiring premises, hiring sports facilities, and providing services.
Expenditure over £500
The Code of Recommended Practice for Local Authorities on Data Transparency recommends publishing expenditures in excess of £500. Below are links detailing supplier payments over £500 on a monthly basis.
Code of Recommended Practice for Local Authorities on Data Transparency
Pursuant to his powers in section 2 of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980, (the 1980 Act) the Secretary of State has issued the Code as recommended practice as to the publication of types of information by certain authorities concerning the discharge of their functions and the steps which they must take to inform the public of the availability of that information. From 28 September 2011, a new code of recommended practice on data transparency (the Code) applies to parish councils with a gross annual income or expenditure, whichever is the higher, of at least £200,000, all principal authorities and other bodies (as defined) such as police, fire and rescue and National Park authorities in England. This includes publication of expenditure in excess of £500 and this Council will post details of supplier payments on the website each month. For data protection reasons, these exclude any payments made to individuals.