Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972

N.I. Annual budget and financial arrangements

53 Annual budget. N.I.

(1) In each financial year a council shall cause to be submitted to it estimates of the income and expenditure of the council during the next-following financial year.

(2) A council, before the prescribed date in each year,—

(a) shall consider the estimates for the next-following financial year;

(b) may revise the estimates in such manner as the council thinks fit;

(c) shall approve the estimates, subject to any revision under paragraph ( b);

(d) shall authorise the expenditure included in the estimates; and

(e) shall fix for the next-following financial year the amount estimated to be required to be raised by means of a rate made by the council.

(3) No expenditure shall be incurred by or on behalf of a council unless—

(a) previously authorised in accordance with the estimates approved by the council; or

(b) otherwise previously authorised by the council; or

(c) if not so authorised, necessarily incurred in circumstances of emergency;

but any expenditure under paragraph ( c) shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, be reported to the council with a view to being approved by the council.

(4) A council may make standing orders for the purpose of giving effect to this section so long as such orders are not inconsistent with any statutory provision.

54 Arrangements for handling receipts and payments. N.I.

A council shall make safe and efficient arrangements for the receipt of money paid to it and the issue of money payable by it, and those arrangements shall be carried out under the supervision of such officer of the council as the council designates as its chief financial officer.