Finances
Chard Town Council as a public body is responsible for its own finances. It is required to make arrangements for the proper administration of its financial affairs and to ensure that one of its officers has this responsibility. The officer whose job it is to oversee the finances of the Council is referred to as the Responsible Financial Officer (RFO).
The Council must work within a legal framework that is specified within the Accounts and Audit Regulations and it must ensure that its business is conducted in accordance with the law and proper standards.
Good governance, accountability and transparency are essential and a cornerstone to improving public services. The Council must ensure that public money is safeguarded, properly accounted for and used economically, efficiently and effectively.
PKF Littlejohn are the Council’s appointed External Auditors.
Chard Town Council is also required to appoint an Internal Auditor who will monitor and review the arrangements in place to ensure the proper conduct and effectiveness of its financial affairs. The Council must have an adequate system of internal control and risk management. This review is an integral part of continually improving governance and accountability.
The Council is required to publicly report the outcome of the review of its accounts and also to make its accounting statements and other documents available for public inspection.
If you would like more information about the Council’s financial responsibilities please contact us on 01460 239567.

Annual Accounts
2023/2024
2022/2023
2021/2022
2020/2021
2019/2020
2018/2019
2017/2018
2016/2017
Annual Return
Every smaller authority in England with an annual turnover of £6.5 million or less must complete an annual return at the end of each financial year in accordance with proper practices summarising its activities.
Please click on the link below to view our return.
We provide proper opportunity for the exercise of electors rights in accordance with the requirements of the Accounts and Audit Regulations.
Please click on the link below to view the Notice.
Budget
The precept for the year 2024/2025 has been set at £1,151,765 equating to a local parish precept charge of £251.37 for Band D properties. This Budget breakdown for precept 2024-2025 has further details of the breakdown of Chard Town Council’s budget.