Glossary
Sometimes we use terms and phrases that may not be familiar to everyone in relation to the Council budget and services. This is because there are specific terms associated with certain services that some people, particularly those using these services, will know and use. We have provided a short glossary below to help explain some less well-known terms.
Adaptations
Equipment and changes that can be made to a home to make it suitable for someone with a physical impairment or disability
Assets
Buildings, land and technology owned by the Council
Balanced budget
A budget where revenue (or income) is equal to, or greater, than spending
Business rates
A tax on the occupation of non-domestic, or commercial, property such as shops; offices; pubs; warehouses; factories; holiday rental homes or guest houses. Also known as Non-Domestic Rates
Capital spending
One-off spending on assets, technology or equipment such as vehicles, buildings and IT equipment
Care package
A combination of services put together to meet a person’s assessed needs as part of a care package
Council companies
Companies owned in-full or in-part by the Council to deliver local services
Council fleet
All the vehicles owned or operated by the Council – from cars and vans to waste collection vehicles
Funding Gap
The gap between the money that the Council has to spend and the money that the Council is committed to spend on goods and services
Housing Revenue Account
A local authority account for the running of Council-owned housing stock and closely related services - it is a ring-fenced account
Portfolio Holders
Councillors who are members of the Cabinet and who have responsibility for a specific range of services
Personal Travel Budget
A sum of money paid to the parents or carers of a child who qualifies for free school transport
Reablement
Immediate care to support someone to re-learn the daily skills that they need for an independent lifestyle
Special educational needs
Learning difficulties or disabilities that make it harder for a child or young person to learn than it is for others of the same age