Town Council Finances

Town Council Finances

Town Council operations and services are primarily funded through the Council Tax paid by residents of Barnstaple.  Additional income is generated by the Town Council through the hire of venues and facilities and allotment rents.

Each year a budget setting process is undertaken over a period of several months, during which time the anticipated income and expenditure for the following year is calculated and reviewed by standing committees.  The final budget is approved by Council each January and the figure required to be collected as part of the Council Tax – known as the Precept – is set by the Council.

The Council Tax paid by the residents of Barnstaple is collected by North Devon Council, and divided between the Town, District and County councils. The amount received by the Town Council is calculated each year by way of a budget setting process. This process takes into account the statutory commitments the Town Council has to its residents as well as upcoming projects and arrives at a figure known as the precept.

Other income is generated by the Town Council in way of venue hire and allotment rents for example. For details of our fees & charges please contact admin@barnstapletowncouncil.gov.uk

Information regarding Council Tax and the fund distribution to North Devon Council, Devon County Council, the Police Authority and the Fire and Rescue Authority can be found on your individual Council Tax bill or by visiting Council Tax charges and how it’s spent on North Devon Council’s website.

The Town Council awards grants through an annual application process. Details of the grants awarded can be found in the Town Council Annual Reports.

From 1 January 2011, public bodies were requested to publish on their websites details of every payment made by them over £500.
View our over £500 expenditure reports.

Barnstaple Town Council’s annual return needs to be reviewed by an external auditor appointed by the Public Sector Appointments Limited. Any person interested has the right to inspect the accounting records for the financial year to which the audit relates. Please see the last 6 years’ returns below.