HOW IS THE HAVENS COMMUNITY COUNCIL FUNDED?

Community Councils are generally the least bureaucratic and cheapest form of local authority, with our only paid employee being the Clerk/RFO.  Councillors, who are all volunteers, are eligible for a small allowance.  The Havens Community Council receives no specific government grant and so raises the majority of its income from the Precept portion of the Council Tax; a tax that is collected by Pembrokeshire County Council and subsequently transferred to the Council.  It also receives a small income from investments. Should we mention S106 funds and grants?

FINANCE

Annual Financial Audit.  The RFO prepares the Council’s annual Financial Statements in accordance with applicable legislation and guidelines and these Financial Statements are made available to the Public, Council and Council’s auditors to review and comment.

Annual Budget.   Based on three years records, the RFO prepares revenue and capital estimates for the council and advises the Council on the Council Tax implications and make recommendations to the council for the amount to be precepted in the following year. This setting of the budget usually happens in January so that it feeds into Pembrokeshire County Council Council tax update. 

Management of Accounts. 

• Quarterly management accounts are presented to the Council in January, April, July and October. Provide explanations of major variances and investigate discrepancies. Prepare working hours summaries from information supplied by the Clerk.
• Monthly management accounts are presented to the Council at each Monthly meeting.  These are presented as the Finance section of the Summons to the monthly HCC meeting and include but not restricted to; Payments for approval, payments received, balances and investigate discrepancies, Clerk and RFO wages, Tax and allowances from information supplied by the Clerk and RFO.