21-Explanation-of-Variances-2025-26

Explanation of variances – pro forma
Name of smaller authority: Hellesdon Parish Council
Broadland
County area (local councils and parish meetings only):
Insert figures from Section 2 of the AGAR in all Blue highlighted boxes
Next, please provide full explanations, including numerical values, for the following that will be flagged in the
green boxes where relevant:
• variances of more than 15% between totals for individual boxes (except variances of less than £200);
• variances of £100,000 or more require explanation regardless of the % variation year on year;
• New from 2025/26 onwards: variances of £500,000 or more in Box 3 require explanation regardless of the % variation
year on year for smaller authorities with income and/or expenditure exceeding £6,500,000

                                                                                                                       Explanation Automatic responses trigger below based on figures
                                                                  2024/25        2025/26     Variance     Variance      Required? input, DO NOT OVERWRITE THESE BOXES                       Explanation from smaller authority (must include narrative and supporting figures)
                                                                     £              £            £           %

Explanation of % variance from PY opening balance not
1 Balances Brought Forward
763,795 829,958 required - Balance brought forward agrees

2 Precept or Rates and Levies 598,827 634,036 35,209 5.88% NO

3 Total Other Receipts 203,235 194,728 -8,507 4.19% NO

4 Staff Costs 388,621 364,678 -23,943 6.16% NO

The Parish Council had a PWLB loan come into an end in 2025. This was for a 25 year loan for an
5 Loan Interest/Capital Repayment
46,752 30,493 -16,259 34.78% YES extension to the community centre. This reduce the interest payments by £16,259

6 All Other Payments 300,526 306,263 5,737 1.91% NO

7 Balances Carried Forward 829,958 957,288 VARIANCE EXPLANATION NOT REQUIRED

8 Total Cash and Short Term Investments 831,281 967,514 VARIANCE EXPLANATION NOT REQUIRED

As identified in Appendix A of the Internal Auditor’s report the variance of £121,796 relates directly
to an accompanying spreadsheet of insurance based valued additions to the asset register. The
Council are aware that in line with SAPPP guidance 5.67 and 5.68 this should not have taken
9 Total Fixed Assets plus Other Long Term Investments and Assets place. In addition, Council are aware that some historical methods used for valuation have been
inconsistent. On reviewing the Asset Register the Council are aware that some work is required to
ascertain whether all assets currently reflected have not been disposed of in previous years.
Given this the Council are content to accept the value for box 9 for 25/26 with a view to reinstating
4,729,476 4,607,680 -121,796 2.58% YES the register in line with SAPPP guideline 5.181 during 26/27.

10 Total Borrowings 628,807 601,294 -27,513 4.38% NO

Rounding errors of up to £2 are tolerable

Variances of £200 or less are tolerable