Millom Town Council
Millom Town Council was formed in 1974 when the parish boundaries changed from Cumberland.
These Financial Regulations were adopted by the council at its meeting held on 25th June 2025
1.1. These Financial Regulations govern the financial management of the council and may only be amended or varied by resolution of the council. They are one of the council’s governing documents and shall be observed in conjunction with the council’s Standing Orders.
1.2. Councillors are expected to follow these regulations and not to entice employees to breach them. Failure to follow these regulations brings the office of councillor into disrepute.
1.3. Wilful breach of these regulations by an employee may result in disciplinary proceedings.
1.4. In these Financial Regulations:
1.5. The Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) holds a statutory office, appointed by the council and these regulations apply accordingly. The RFO:
1.6. The council must not delegate any decision regarding:
1.7. In addition, the council shall:
2.1. The council must ensure that it has a sound system of internal control, which delivers effective financial, operational and risk management.
2.2. The Clerk [with the RFO] shall prepare, for approval by [the council], a risk management policy covering all activities of the council. This policy and consequential risk management arrangements shall be reviewed by the council at least annually.
2.3. When considering any new activity, the Clerk [with the RFO] shall prepare a draft risk assessment including risk management proposals for consideration by the council.
2.4. At least once a year, the council must review the effectiveness of its system of internal control, before approving the Annual Governance Statement.
2.5. The accounting control systems determined by the RFO must include measures to:
2.6. At least [once in each quarter], and at each financial year end, a member other than the Chair {or a cheque signatory} shall be appointed to verify bank reconciliations (for all accounts) produced by the RFO. The member shall sign and date the reconciliations and the original bank statements (or similar document) as evidence of this. This activity, including any exceptions, shall be reported to and noted by the council {Finance Committee}.
2.7. Regular back-up copies shall be made of the records on any council computer and stored either online or in a separate location from the computer. The council shall put measures in place to ensure that the ability to access any council computer is not lost if an employee leaves or is incapacitated for any reason.
3.1. All accounting procedures and financial records of the council shall be determined by the RFO in accordance with the Accounts and Audit Regulations.
3.2. The accounting records determined by the RFO must be sufficient to explain the council’s transactions and to disclose its financial position with reasonably accuracy at any time. In particular, they must contain:
3.3. The accounting records shall be designed to facilitate the efficient preparation of the accounting statements in the Annual Governance and Accountability Return.
3.4. The RFO shall complete and certify the annual Accounting Statements of the council contained in the Annual Governance and Accountability October Return in accordance with proper practices, as soon as practicable after the end of the financial year. Having certified the Accounting Statements, the RFO shall submit them (with any related documents) to the council, within the timescales required by the Accounts and Audit Regulations.
3.5. The council must ensure that there is an adequate and effective system of internal audit of its accounting records and internal control system in accordance with proper practices.
3.6. Any officer or member of the council must make available such documents and records as the internal or external auditor consider necessary for the purpose of the audit and shall, as directed by the council, supply the RFO, internal auditor, or external auditor with such information and explanation as the council considers necessary.
3.7. The internal auditor shall be appointed by [the council] and shall carry out their work to evaluate the effectiveness of the council’s risk management, control and governance processes in accordance with proper practices specified in the Practitioners’ Guide.
3.8. The council shall ensure that the internal auditor:
(Continued…)
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APRIL 30TH: Methodist Church meeting room
MAY 28TH: Methodist Church meeting room
JUNE 25TH: Methodist Church meeting room
JULY 30TH: Methodist Church meeting room
All meetings will commence at 07.00pm unless otherwise stated on
the agenda.