Parish Council Accounts commentary year ended 31/3/26

Financial summary – year ending 31/3/26

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

Jon Pike
Parish Clerk & Responsible Finance Officer