Local Government Act 1888

Local Financial Year and Annual Budget.

73 Fixing of local financial year and consequent adjustments.

(1) After the appointed day, not being more than three years after the passing of this Act, the local financial year shall be the twelve months ending the thirty-first day of March, and the accounts of the receipts and expenditure of every county council' shall be made up for that year, but until the appointed day the local financial year shall be the twelve months ending the twenty-fifth day of March, and the said accounts shall be made up for that year.

(2) All enactments relating to accounts of local authorities, or the audit thereof, or to returns touching their receipts and expenditure, or to meetings, or other matters, shall be modified so far as is necessary for adapting them to the provisions of this section, and the Local Government Board shall from time to time give such orders and make such arrangements as appear to the Board to be necessary or proper for effecting such adaptation, and giving effect to the provisions of this section

74 Annual budget of county councils.

(1) At the beginning of every local financial year, every county council shall cause to be submitted to them an estimate of the receipts and expenses of such council during that financial year, whether on account of property, contributions, rates, loans, or otherwise

(2) The council shall estimate the amount which will require to be raised in the first six months, and in the second six months of the said financial year by means of contributions.

(3) If at the expiration of the first six months of such financial year it appears to the council that the amount of the contribution or rate estimated at the commencement of the year will be larger than is necessary' or will be insufficient, the council may revise the estimats and alter accordingly the amount of the contribution or rate.