Finances

The Town Council is predominantly funded by the residents of Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge through a precept on the council tax charge made by Somerset Council.

The 2025/26 budget set a total precept of £1,324,115, which equates to an annual council tax charge of £194.62 per year on a band D household. Properties are put into one of eight bands, A being the lowest, and H the highest, with Band D being the average.

In the interests of openness and transparency, we publish various detailed reports in relation to the operation of the Town Council.

Annual Audits

Every financial year ending 31st March the annual audit of the Town Council’s accounts are reviewed by both the internal and external auditor. Audit information can be viewed below.

2024-2025

Notice of Public Rights and Publication of Unaudited Annual Governance and Accountability Return Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025

-Notification of conclusion of audit and sections 1, 2 & 3 of Annual Governance Accountability Return

Notice of conclusion of audit all pages 2024-25

– Notice of Public Rights

Annual Governance Statement with Internal Audit Report 2024-25

– Annual Governance Statement_Redacted

2023-2024

https://burnham-highbridge-tc.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Notification-of-conclusion-of-audit-and-sections-1-2-3-of-Annual-Governance-Accountability-Return-1.pdf

https://burnham-highbridge-tc.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Annual-Governance-Statement-with-Internal-Audit-Report-2023-24_Redacted.pdf

https://burnham-highbridge-tc.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Notice-of-Public-Rights-and-Publication-of-Unaudited-Annual-Governance-and-Accountability-Return-Accounts-for-the-year-ended-31-March-2024.pdf

2022-2023

Notification of conclusion of audit and sections 1, 2 & 3 of Annual Governance Accountability Review

2021-2022

Notification of conclusion of audit and sections 1, 2 & 3 of Annual Governance Accountability Review

(Links open in new tab)

Budgets

The financial year for local authorities runs between 1 April – 31 March (inclusive).

Approved Budget for 2025/26

Approved Budget for 2024/25

Payments

Town and Parish Councils, which have a gross annual income or expenditure (whichever is the higher) of a least £200,000 are required to publish ‘Public Data’ as set out in The Code of Recommended Practice for Local Authorities on Data Transparency.

Although it is only recommended practice, Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge Town Council believes that being transparent is pivotal to enable greater democratic accountability over how council tax and public money is spent.

Public Data does not include personal information as this would contravene the Data Protection Act 2018. In accordance with the Code of Recommended Practice, Burnham & Highbridge Town Council will make available for public inspection the relevant information as stipulated within the Code.

Government Procurement Card Payments 2025/2026

Government Procurement Card September 2025

Government Procurement Card August 2025

Government Procurement Card July 2025

Government Procurement Card June 2025

Government Procurement Card May 2025

Government Procurement Card Payments 2024/2025

Government Procurement Card April 2025

Government Procurement Card March 2025

Government Procurement Card Feb 2025

Government Procurement Card January 2025

Government Procurement Card December 2024