A local council is a corporate body, a separate legal entity from its members, and a local authority. Therefore, its decisions are the responsibility of the whole council and all councillors share collective responsibility for the financial management of the council.
Local councils are required to comply with "proper practices" which have statutory force. Every local council is required to make suitable arrangements for the proper administration of its financial affairs, taking responsibility for ensuring that its financial management is adequate and effective, which makes the financial management and regular financial checks one of the most important tasks for the council and councillors.
Holybrook Parish Council has a Finance Committee which examines and decides on financial matters; however, this committee reports back to full council after every meeting. Throughout the year the council needs to satisfy itself that expenditure is both lawful and in-line with council decisions (Click HERE for a list of the Finance Committee's meetings).