Bridgend Council officers have tabled several proposed changes to the council’s financial rules and regulations (pdf). The changes are due to be discussed/approved at this week’s full council meeting.
Normally it wouldn’t be worth covering as it’s too boring and technical. There are, nonetheless, some important changes that are worth flagging up – though probably of more interest to councillors and anyone considering taking on a council contract etc. than most of us.
- Separate financial regulations will be drafted to be used by schools in the county.
- Clarification that BCBC’s Chief Financial Officer can authorise the council’s reserves to be used to cover an over-spend in a departmental budget.
- Urgent capital spending that can’t wait for the next council meeting – up to a maximum value of £100,000 – can be authorised by the Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer.
- Includes new systems and clauses to bring BCBC in line with VAT regulations.
- Brings BCBC’s rules in line with IR35 regulations, meaning they have a legal requirement to determine if they are responsible for deducting tax and national insurance from staff who are not directly on the council payroll. There’s a similar clause inserted relating to the Construction Industry Scheme for sub-contractors.
- Includes an entirely new section relating to the disposal/sell-off of council assets, which need to be managed by the corporate landlord department. It also states that various things have to be considered before a decision including restrictions on use, fairness, alternative uses, security, the costs of disposal compared to income and market opportunities.
