Coronavirus

Published on June 23, 2020

Citizens Advice can help you through financial difficulties

If you are facing financial problems in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, Citizens Advice can help find a way forward.

Citizens Advice research has revealed that currently over 13 million people are unable to pay, or expect to be unable to pay, at least one of their household bills. These bills are higher than usual in any case because the population is spending more time at home during the lockdown. For 11 million of these people, a missed bill could have drastic consequences: eviction, the bailiffs, or disconnection.

It is vital that you do not give way to despair, feel isolated with your problems and consider that you have to solve them all by yourself. For instance, Citizens Advice can help maximise your income with a benefit check if your working hours have dropped or if you are made redundant. We can help you decide on the best way to manage your debts in your individual situation. Get in touch with us by telephone on Adviceline (0300 330 9042). There is also a lot of useful information on our website https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk where you can also chat online.

Annual Statutory Documents

The Parish Council (PC) is required to prepare and publish these documents following the end of each financial year. They comprise five main sections:

Certificate of Exemption

Small parish councils are exempt from a detailed annual audit by an external auditor. The definition of a ‘small’ council is annual gross income of less than £25,000; Bourton PC’s annual income falls well within this threshold. This form confirms the PC’s annual income and its exemption from an external audit.

Annual Internal Audit Report

Although exempt from an external audit, the PC’s affairs are still subject to an internal audit by a qualified individual independent of the PC. This is the auditor’s summary report.

Annual Governance Statement

This form deals with the standard of internal controls and general governance standards within the PC throughout the year.

Accounting Statements

This is the summary financial report for the PC for the financial year. It also includes commentary on any significant variances from the previous year’s financial results and a balance sheet reconciliation with bank accounts.

Notice of Public Rights

This notice sets out the rights of local electors to review and query the PC’s statutory returns, including the contact details of the internal auditor.