'Proper practices' in standing orders refer to the most recent version of 'Governance and Accountability for Local Councils – a Practitioners’ Guide'.
All payments by the Council shall be authorised, approved and paid in accordance with the law, proper practices and the Council’s financial regulations.
The Responsible Financial Officer shall supply to each councillor as soon as practicable after 30 June, 30 September and 31 December in each year a statement to summarise:
the Council's receipts and payments (or income and expenditure) for each quarter;
the Council's aggregate receipts and payments (or income and expenditure) for the year to date;
the balances held at the end of the quarter being reported and which includes a comparison with the budget for the financial year and highlights any actual or potential overspends.
As soon as possible after the financial year end at 31 March, the Responsible Financial Officer shall provide:
each councillor with a statement summarising the Council’'s receipts and payments (or income and expenditure) for the last quarter and the year to date for information; and
to the Council the accounting statements for the year in the form of Section 2 of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return, as required by proper practices, for consideration and approval.
The year-end accounting statements shall be prepared in accordance with proper practices and apply the form of accounts determined by the Council (receipts and payments, or income and expenditure) for the year to 31 March. A completed draft annual governance and accountability return shall be presented to all councillors at least 14 days prior to anticipated approval by the Council. The annual governance and accountability return of the Council, which is subject to external audit, including the annual governance statement, shall be presented to the Council for consideration and formal approval before 30 June.
