5.15 Individual purchases within an agreed budget for that type of expenditure may be authorised by:
The Clerk, under delegated authority, for any items below £5,000 excluding VAT.
the Clerk, in consultation with the Chair of the Council or Chair of the appropriate committee, for any items below £10,000 but above £5,000 excluding VAT.
A duly delegated committee of the Council for all items of expenditure within their delegated budgets.
In respect of grants, a duly authorised committee within any limits set by Council and in accordance with any policy statement agreed by the Council.
The Full Council for all items over £10,000 excluding VAT.
Such authorisation must be supported by a minute (in the case of Council or committee decisions) or other auditable evidence trail.
5.16 No individual Councillor, or informal group of Councillors may issue an official order or make any contract on behalf of the Council.
5.17 No expenditure may be authorised that will exceed the budget for that type of expenditure other than by resolution of the Council or a duly delegated committee acting within its Terms of Reference except in an emergency.
5.18 In cases of serious risk to the delivery of Council services or to public safety on Council premises, the clerk may authorise expenditure of up to £5,000 excluding VAT on repair, replacement or other work that in their judgement is necessary, whether or not there is any budget for such expenditure. The RFO shall report such action to the Chair as soon as possible and to Full Council as soon as practicable thereafter.
5.19 No expenditure shall be authorised, no contract entered into, or tender accepted in relation to any major project, unless the Council is satisfied that the necessary funds are available and that where a loan is required, Government borrowing approval has been obtained first.
5.20 An official order or letter shall be issued for all work, goods and services above £50 excluding VAT unless a formal contract is to be prepared or an official order would be inappropriate. Copies of orders shall be retained, along with evidence of receipt of goods.
5.21 Any ordering system can be misused and access to them shall be controlled by the RFO.
6.1 The Council's banking arrangements, including the bank mandate, shall be made by the RFO and authorised by the Council; banking arrangements shall not be delegated to a committee.