Finance
The Parish Council is open and transparent about the way it manages its finances. This page contains information on the way the Council protects its finances and what it has spent money on.
The Council’s finances are monitored on a day to day basis by the Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) (Chief Officer) assisted by a team of financial experts. The Finance & Policy Committee takes an oversight role for the council budgets whilst each committee also monitors its own income and expenditure
To view a copy of the Financial Regulations, see our Finance & Policy page. To view financial documents from previous years or if you have any queries please contact the Clerk on 01793 722446.
Monthly Payment Approvals
The Council publishes all payments and schedules taken to either the Finance & Policy Committee or Full Council every month for approval. After the payments have been approved by Council they will be be made to the suppliers. A useful guide on how to understand local authority accounts and what your rights are as a parish resident Local authority accounts – A guide to your rights.
The Budget & Precept
The Parish Council budget process starts in August each year when the Chief Officer begins preparing draft budgets for each of the Committees. These are then reviewed with the Committee Chair and in September/October each Committees agree any new aspirations for their specific areas. Several revisions of the budget are discussed at Budget Working Parties and a draft budget is passed to the Finance & Policy Committee in January, who will review it alongside the draft Reserve levels. The committee agrees a recommended budget which is presented to the January Full Parish Council meeting where the budget is agreed and the precept is set.
The Parish Council receives the majority of its income through the precept; an annual sum of money collected with the Council Tax by Swindon Borough Council. The precept is set by the council in January each year and for 2026/27 is £1,573,942.69 which amounts to a Band D rate of £176.13 per annum. The rest of the Council’s income is from rental income, grants, event income, and sponsorship.
How the precept is worked out:
26/27 Budgets | |
Budgeted expenditure for 25/26 | ÂŁ1,573,942.69 |
Budgeted income for 25/26 (excluding precept) | ÂŁ53,267.30 |
Subsidy from reserves | ÂŁ25,000.00 |
Precept required (Budgeted expenditure - (budgeted income + subsidy from reserves)) | ÂŁ1,573,942.69 |
The Accounting Statements for 2025-26 are now closed. For full details please click on the link below.
For previous years please email clerk@haydonwick.gov.uk
Haydon Wick Parish Council publish all bank and credit card payments, regardless of their limit, every month. Documents can be found in either the monthly Full Council or bi-monthly Finance & Policy Committee agenda packs. Contact the Chief Officer/Clerk & RFO if there is a specific payment month that you are interested in: clerk@haydonwick.gov.uk.
Annual Audit Reports
The Council prepares an annual accounting statement which is externally audited. This summarises the council’s income and expenditure for the year and includes statements from the Council’s internal auditor.
This is a statutory provision of Section 6 of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014. Haydon Wick Parish Council is classified as a smaller authority (where the higher of gross income or gross expenditure was over £25,000) and has to complete Part 3 of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR).
The AGAR gives the opportunity for electors and local taxpayers to see the Council’s accounting statements and governance arrangements which is then submitted to the appointed external auditor for their approval. The Notice to view these statements and arrangements will be published in line with the requirements and the deadlines received each year.