Parish Council Finance

The Parish Council is a local government body, and can only do that which it is empowered to do by law. Anything else, no matter how apparently justifiable or useful will be beyond the powers of the council.

The Accounts and Audit Regulations (England) 2011 refer to the need of the council to follow ‘proper practices’. The council follows the guidance of the ODPM – A Practitioners Guide. The Parish Council is required, by section 151 of the Local Government Act 1972, to appoint a responsible financial officer. This role is held by the Clerk to the Council. All accounts and procedures are administered by the Full Council, and are under the scrutiny of an Internal Auditor, and externally audited by Littlejohn LLP.

Historical budgets and Financial information are available via the View All Documents page.

Statement Regarding Setting of Precept & 2023/24 Budgeting

For the financial year running from 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024, Mepal Parish Council has requested an increase in its precept from East Cambridgeshire District Council (ECDC) of £13,577. For context, this will result an annual increase of around £33 on a Band D property from £103 last year; which is about 64p per week. The percentages may look alarming, but do not tell the true story. The reality is that we needed to raise additional funds due to the actual cost of living and energy cost inflation and the precept is our main income source. A £33 increase on the Cambridgeshire County Council component is 2.5%. Please read the detailed statement for the reasons why this was necessary.

The 2023/24 budget and required precept was discussed and referenced in Minute 131222/6 d) of the December Minutes. Minor modifications as a result of the year end process after 31/3/2023 were discussed and minuted in the meeting held on 11th April 2023.

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Report

A CIL report to ECDC detailing how the CIL money has been allocated is produced each year

Budget

Year-end Accounts

Annual Reports

If you would like a paper copy of any of these reports please contact the Mepal Parish Clerk.

Visit Documents for archive of all reports.