Each year the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government prescribes the period for the holding of the Statutory Budget Meetings of Local Authorities. The period for County Councils is generally the end of November until the middle of the following January. The budget must be adopted within 21 days of the first meeting.
The Annual Budget establishes the budgeted expenditure and income for the coming year. It identifies the amount each budget holder may spend and also the amount of income which must be achieved.
The DOEHLG determines the amount of the Local Government Fund Grant. The elected members determine the rates income through determining the Annual Rate on Valuation.
