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Finance and expenditure

It is important that residents can see how their taxes are being spent. Here you can read our statements of accounts, staffing details and monthly spending data.

The annual statement of accounts reports on our financial position at the end of the year and transactions during the year.

Staffing 

From 1 November 2017, most Forest of Dean District Council staff transferred to Publica Group Ltd who now provide services on the council’s behalf. Some services are provided by UBICO. Publica is a local authority owned company created by Cheltenham Borough Council, Cotswold, Forest of Dean and West Oxfordshire District Councils. Its purpose is to transform the way local services are delivered to communities through innovation and to set the standard for all councils in the future.

A small number of staff have been retained by the council including the three statutory officer posts of Head of Paid Service, Monitoring Officer and Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer).

In 2023 the remuneration of three statutory officer posts were reviewed and new spot salaries agreed by council:

  • Head of Paid Service up to £114,000
  • Chief Finance (s151) Officer £88,230
  • Monitoring Officer £83,040

Bonuses and benefits in kind

Benefits:

  • Casual car user allowance of 45p per mile for business journeys may be claimed
  • One relevant professional membership subscription may be paid

No bonuses are paid.

Monthly expenditure data (council spending)

The government's transparency programme holds public bodies to account, delivering better value for money in public spending and helping to cut the record deficit. The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government requests that all local councils publish details of all their supplier spending over £500. We are required to publish data in CSV files, on a monthly basis, no later than 30 days after the month end. The data is made available for use under the terms of the Open Government Licence.

Purchase card expenditure data

Council staff hold a number of purchasing cards for emergency use or for making purchases when no other method of payment is accepted. Please note this data was previously located in 'Monthly expenditure data (council spending)' above.

Council fees and charges

The fees and charges for council services are correct at the time of going to print, but could be subject to change during the year and the charge at the time the service is provided will prevail.