Belstone Parish Council financial summary 25/26

BELSTONE PARISH COUNCIL

Financial commentary year ended 31/3/2026

We started the financial year with a cash balance of £5,578 and ended with £8,395, an increase of £2,817.  We would typically look to be relatively cash-neutral in any one year so such increase is unusual but is a result of having to budget for a clerk’s wage when none was actually paid due to Government rules for resigning Councillors becoming clerks.  This means that our cash balances now cover roughly 2 years of future expenditure which is considered a prudent and healthy position.

No Councillors undertook any training last year leading to further savings against budget, although slight overspends were seen on insurance costs and asset repairs – primarily on replacing the oak in the village stocks at a total cost of £297.  Last year we allowed for £250 of contingency, with this amount fully utilised due to the lack of Highways budget, for the new HGV signage at Tongue End at a total cost of £266.

In this financial year to March ‘27 we have budgeted for a precept of £4,060 managing to keep the increase on the prior year to just 2%.  This precept equates to £29.60 Council tax payable for an average band D property.  This current year budget also includes a £100 transfer to our Car Park designated reserve which will stand at £350 to be held towards future repairs as well as a £50 transfer to our election reserve which will result in £692 towards the potential costs of the next Council elections which are due in May 2027.

Finally, my thanks to Chris Walpole for auditing our accounts

(Full financial accounts will be made available on the website following approval by the Council in May 26)

Jon Pike

Parish Clerk