The Council’s Finances
Parish Councils vary in size. Some represent a few hundred people; others represent communities of over 50,000 people. Budget and staffing levels are proportionate to the size of the community and number of residential properties being served.
​Prestbury Parish Council can only spend, raise, or use money if it has a statutory power to do so. It has a wide range of powers under different Acts of Parliament, most of which are discretionary. The exercise of these powers may depend on other bodies, for example, the owner of land or another public body such as the Highways Authority. Almost all the powers of Prestbury Parish Council may be exercised by either the Parish Council or the Borough Council.
Prestbury Parish Council raises money through grants, donations, fundraising activities and by levying a precept (a mandatory demand) on the tax paying residents of Prestbury Parish and this is facilitated by Cheshire East Council. The precept required is then collected by Cheshire East Council as part of the Council Tax.
Prestbury Parish Council has to prepare a budget by the end of January each year for the ensuing financial year which runs from 1 April to 31 March.
Every payment made by the Council is listed in every set of Full Council minutes. Receipts are also logged in the minutes. Council accounts are available for scrutiny by any resident by appointment with the Clerk of the Council.
Link to Annual Governance & Accounting Return (AGAR) information
