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The concept that income and expenditure are recognised as they are earned or incurred, not as money is received or paid.
Changes in actuarial deficits or surpluses that arise because:
a) events have not coincided with the actuarial assumptions made for the last valuation (experience gains and losses);
b) the actuarial assumptions have changed.
An item having value measurable in monetary terms. Assets can be defined as fixed or current. A fixed asset has a value for more than one year (for example a building or long term investment). A current asset can be readily converted into cash (for example stocks or a short term debtor).
An independent examination of the Council’s financial affairs.
This statement is fundamental to the understanding of an authority’s financial position at the year end. It shows the balances and reserves at an authority’s disposal and its long-term indebtedness, and the fixed and net current assets employed in its operations, together with summarised information on the fixed assets held.
The spending plans of the Council over a specific period of time – generally the financial year, 1 April to 31 March.
Expenditure on the acquisition of a fixed asset or expenditure that adds to, and not merely maintains, the value of an existing fixed asset.
The raising of money to pay for capital expenditure. There are various methods of financing capital expenditure, including borrowing, leasing, using capital receipts, grants or contributions from third parties, or directly from revenue budgets.
The capital schemes the Council intends to carry out over a specified period of time.
Proceeds from the sale of capital assets.
This is the accountancy body that represents at national level the interests of local government and public sector finance, and issues guidance to local authorities on best practice.
A statement that shows the transactions of the billing authority in relation to non-domestic rates and the council tax, and illustrates the way in which these have been distributed to preceptors and the General Fund.
Assets that the Council intends to hold in perpetuity, or that have no determinable useful life, and that may have restrictions on their disposal. Examples of community assets include parks and historical buildings.
This is an element of the Service Expenditure Analysis that brings together the costs of democratic representation and management and corporate management, excluding them from the total cost of any particular service.
Amounts owed by the Council for works done, goods received or services rendered before the end of the accounting period but for which payment had not been made by the end of that period.
The increase in the present value of the pension scheme liabilities expected to arise from employee service in the current period.
Amounts due to the Council for works done, goods or services provided before the end of the accounting period but for which payment had not been received by the end of that period.
The measure of the wearing out, or other reduction in the useful economic life of a fixed asset, whether arising from use, passage of time or obsolescence through technological or other changes.
The term Direct Labour Organisation (DLO) is used to describe an organisation directly employed by the Authority that has been exposed to competition and has been established under the Local Government Act 1988.
The average rate of return expected over the remaining life of the related obligation on the actual assets held by the pension scheme.
Tangible or Intangible assets that yield benefits to the local authority and the services it provides for a period of more than one year.
In order for Financial Statements to make sense to users who rely on them for decision making purposes, there has to be consistency in the way items are treated in those statements. SSAP’s and FRS’s give us this consistency by ensuring that all preparers of accounts follow these standards so that the accounts give a true and fair view of the state of affairs at the end of the financial year.
Financial assistance from Central Government, (including government agencies and similar bodies), in the form of a cash grant. In return the Local Authority will comply with the conditions attached to the issuing of the grant that usually states how the money is to be used.
Loans made by the Council to individuals or Housing Associations towards the cost of acquiring, constructing or improving dwellings.
A system of financial assistance to individuals towards certain housing costs administered by local authorities and subsidised by central government.
Reflects a statutory obligation to account separately for local authority housing provision. It shows the major elements of housing revenue expenditure and how this is met by rents, subsidy and other income.
A reduction to the value of a fixed asset (below its carrying amount in the Balance Sheet) due to a clear consumption of economic benefits or a general fall in market value.
Amounts which the Council receives or expects to receive from any source, including rents, fees, charges, sales and grants.
A statement that brings together expenditure and income relating to all of the local authority’s functions and demonstrates how that cost has been financed from government grants and income from local taxpayers.
This category of fixed assets includes such facilities as highways, footpaths and sea defences.
An intangible fixed asset is one that has no physical substance but is identifiable and the Authority has control (either through custody or legal protection) over the future economic benefits. An example would be a software licence.
The expected increase during the period in the present value of the scheme liabilities as a result of the benefits being one year closer to settlement.
A long term investment is intended to be held for use on a continuing basis in the activities of the authority. Investments should be so classified only where an intention to hold the investment for the long term can clearly be demonstrated or where there are restrictions as to the investor’s ability to dispose of the investment.
Interest in land and/or buildings:
a) in respect of which construction work and development have been completed; and,
b) that is held for its investment potential, any rental income being negotiated at arm’s length.
An amount owed by the Council that will be paid at some time in the future.
The Non-Domestic Rate (Business Rate) is a standard rate in the pound set by the Government on the assessed rateable value of business properties.
Fixed assets held by a local authority but not directly occupied, used or consumed in the delivery of services. Examples of non-operational assets are investment properties and assets that are surplus to requirements, pending sale or redevelopment.
A lease where the ownership of the asset remains with the lessor, not the Council.
Fixed assets held and occupied, used or consumed by the local authority in the direct delivery of those services for which it has either a statutory or discretionary responsibility.
Discretionary benefits awarded on early retirement are treated as past service costs. This includes added years and unreduced pension benefits awarded before “the 85 year rule” (see definition of “the 85 year rule”.)
The levy made by precepting authorities on billing authorities, for example the Kent Police Authority levies a precept on Thanet District Council.
An accrued benefits valuation method in which the pension scheme liabilities make allowance for projected earnings. An accrued benefits evaluation method is a valuation method in which the scheme liabilities at the valuation date relate to:
a) the benefits for pensioners and deferred pensioners and their dependants, allowing where appropriate for future increases, and
b) the accrued benefits for members in service on the valuation date.
An amount set aside for liabilities or losses which are certain to arise, but which due to their nature cannot be quantified with certainty.
Surpluses and deficits that have been accumulated over past years. Reserves of a revenue nature are available and can be spent or earmarked at the discretion of the Council. Some capital reserves such as the revaluation reserve cannot be used to meet current expenditure.
The main account of the Council into which grants and other income is paid and from which the cost of providing services is met.
The day to day costs of the running of services, including salaries, wages, materials etc.
The SORP specifies the principles and practices of accounting required to prepare a Statement of Accounts which ‘presents fairly’ the financial position and transactions of a local authority.
The SORP sets out the proper accounting practices required for Statements of Accounts, required by section 21(2) of the Local Government Act 2003 prepared in accordance with the statutory framework established for England by the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2003 and by sections 41 and 42 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.
Comprise goods or other assets purchased for resale and consumable stores.
Previous page: Annual Governance Statement
E-mail:
accountancy@thanet.gov.uk
Tel: 01843 577000