Councils have the power to borrow money, but only for capital projects such as schools, housing, roads, and other long-term investments.

Councils can charge fees for certain services they provide, like parking, leisure centres, waste uplifts, planning applications, and licences.

Councils must decide the maximum amount they can safely spend on big projects like schools, housing, or roads.

Councils are required to keep finances clearly separated to ensure accountability and transparency.

Councils must prepare and approve an annual budget that balances all expected income and spending.

Councils have a duty to prepare annual accounts showing all income, spending, assets, and liabilities, and to have these accounts independently audited.

Councils have the power to raise money to fund big projects. Councils can also use money they make from selling or leasing land and buildings they own.

Councils have a duty to manage finances properly.

Councils have a duty to make sure their financial systems are well-managed and secure.

Councils are required to maintain accurate financial records, operate an independent internal audit service, and publish their annual accounts in accordance with the CIPFA Code of Practice.

Councils have a duty to manage the Local Government Pension Scheme properly.

Councils must follow UK rules when giving financial support to businesses or organisations.

Councils must keep a special account that tracks money borrowed to pay for big projects.

Councils must prepare and publish a clear record of how they’ve managed public money over the past year.

Councils must officially choose a senior officer to take charge of all financial matters.

Councils must follow national standards to make sure their internal audit service is professional, independent, and effective.

Councils must help their audit and scrutiny committees do their job properly.

Councils are responsible for recovering expenditure for residential accommodation.

Councils are responsible for collecting money that is legally due, such as unpaid council tax, business rates, or service charges.

Councils must plan and report on their procurement activity.

Councils must manage Common Good assets - such as land, buildings, or funds historically held for the benefit of local communities - in a transparent and responsible way.

Councils must handle all land and property transactions in a way that protects public assets and complies with the law.

Councils can introduce a small charge on overnight stays in paid accommodation like hotels, B&Bs, and campsites.

Councils may be responsible for setting up and running the system that charges local businesses a Business Improvement District (BID) levy.