On this page

• Facts, Figures and Finance
• Budget, Capital Programme and Statement of Accounts
• Medium Term Financial Strategy
• Audit Letter
• Council Tax for 2008/2009
• IEG
• Race Equality Scheme
• Borough Statistics for Bexley

Further Information

• Emergency Planning
• Freedom of Information Act 2000
• ICT Services and the ICT Contract
• Risk Management Strategy

Contact Details

• Bexley Civic Offices
  Broadway
  Bexleyheath
  Kent DA6 7LB
• 020 8303 7777

Facts, Figures and Finance

Budget, Capital Programme and Statement of Accounts

A 'Budget Strategy' for the financial year ahead is agreed by the Council in March each year. Members then regularly review actual performance against their financial plans. At the end of the year, the final position is considered as part of a comprehensive review of performance on an individual directorate and overall basis against both financial and non-financial targets. As required by the Accounts and Audit Regulations, the Statement of Accounts is then approved by the Council's General Purposes Committee in the June following the end of the financial year.

You can now download the 2008/09 Budget Strategy (1.31MB PDF file) here.

The 'Budget Book' is published each year and provides more information on the key service budgets that make up the Council's overall Budget and provide the supporting detail behind the setting of Bexley's Council Tax. It also details the costs of the schemes included in the Council's approved Capital Programme.

You can now download the 2008/09 Budget Book (730KB, PDF file) here.

The Capital Strategy (682KB, PDF file) sets out the Council's priorities for capital investment and how we evaluate new projects for inclusion in the Capital Programme. It also shows how we work with partners to deliver schemes and manage and report on results. The Council reviews its Capital Strategy regularly. However, having obtained the highest score from the Government for two successive Capital Strategies, the Council no longer has to make an annual submission.

The latest Statement of Accounts (2006/07) (416KB, PDF file) is available. Inevitably, much of the information in the document is of a technical nature satisfying the requirements of statute and local authority accounting practice. They include:

• The Income and Expenditure Account. It shows the expenditure and income relating to all of the Council's services, the principal sources of finance, which include Government Grants and the Council Tax, and the net surplus or deficit for the year.
• The Balance Sheet showing the Council's overall financial position at the end of the year for all activities except the Pension Fund which is held in trust.
• The Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses. This statement brings together all the recognised gains and losses of the Authority during the year and shows the aggregate increase or decrease in its net worth.
• The Cash Flow Statement. This summarises the inflows and outflows of cash arising from transactions with third parties for revenue and capital purposes excluding the Pension Fund.
• The Pension Fund. Local authorities administer pension schemes to provide benefits for employees. These benefits include retirement and spouses' pensions, retirement and death grants and children's benefits.

A Summary of Accounts is also produced.

The Summary of Accounts 2006/07 can be downloaded here. (130KB, PDF file)

If you have any comments on any of the financial information on this page or in particular the Summary of the Statement of Accounts, please submit your comments here, these will be held in confidence.

For more information, please contact the Finance Department on 020 8294 6318

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Medium Term Financial Strategy

As well as agreeing the budget and setting the Council Tax for 2008/09, the Council has agreed a Medium Term Financial Strategy.

The Strategy sets out the major financial issues facing the Council for the next three years and will form the background for the Council to develop its future budgets. It shows that only small increases in Government financial support can be expected and resources for most services will be limited. The good news is that projected increases in Government funding for schools are much higher.

Like the Council's other plans, the Strategy will be reviewed annually to ensure it takes account of new developments.

Medium Term Financial Strategy (173KB, PDF file)

Audit Letter

Each year, the Council's Auditors produce an Audit Letter which sets out the results of their work at the Council. The Letter covers the Council's governance arrangements, its accounts, performance and inspection work and progress made in implementing improvement priorities as measured by the Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA).

• Audit Letter March 2008 (118KB, PDF file)

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Council Tax Levels for 2008/2009

These are the Council Tax valuation details for London Borough of Bexley for the year 2008/2009.

Bexley's increase is 3% taken with the GLA increase of 2% produces an overall increase of 2.8%.

The Council Tax figures for each Council Tax band are :

Further information about Council Tax can be found here.

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Implementing Electronic Government

In April 2001, Bexley Council agreed a strategic approach to the delivery of e-government entitled 'Bexley Direct'. This is a co-ordinated corporate programme intended to change the shape of the organisation and the way it works to deliver modern, accessible and customer-focussed services. This strategy can be viewed here (89KB, PDF file)

The Government has subsequently asked each authority to provide annual 'Implementing Electronic Government (IEG) Statements'. These documents set out how the Council will meet the Government's target of having all services electronically enabled by 2005. This first IEG Statement was submitted in July 2001. Each of the Council's IEG statements can be viewed here:

Sixth IEG Statement (200KB, PDF file)
Fourth IEG (Mid Term) Statement (205KB, PDF file)
Fourth IEG Statement (179KB, PDF file)
Third IEG Statement (230KB, PDF file)
Second IEG Statement (1.38MB, PDF file)
First IEG Statement (1.01MB, PDF file)

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Statistics for the London Borough of Bexley

If you require further information, please e-mail:

performanceteam@bexley.gov.uk

or visit:

www.statistics.gov.uk/neighbourhood - national neighbourhood statistics
www.mybusinessrates.gov.uk - information on business rates aimed at the smaller, independent ratepayer