Freedom of information Act

NEW MODEL PUBLICATION SCHEME 2008

Publication Scheme

In line with section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Information Commissioner has now developed and approved a new model publication scheme which was adopted, without modification, by the Parish Council at its meeting on 3rd December 2008 and reviewed in June 2019.  

The scheme commits a Parish Council to:

  • Proactively publish or otherwise make available as a matter of routine information, including environmental information, held by the Council and falls within the classes outlined below.
  • Specify the information which is held by the Council and falls within the classes below
  • Proactively publish or otherwise make available as a matter of routine information in line with the statements contained within the scheme..
  • Produce and publish the methods by which the specific information is made routinely available so that it can be easily identified and accessed by members of the public.
  • Review and update on a regular basis the information the Council makes available under the scheme.
  • Produce a schedule of any fees charged for access to information which is made proactively available
  • Make the publication scheme available to the public.

The classes of information will not generally include:

  • Information the disclosure of which is prevented by law or exempt under the Freedom of Information Act.
  • Information in draft form
  • Information no longer readily available as it is contained in files which are in archive storage, or is difficult to access for similar reasons.

Method by which information published under the scheme will be made available;

  • The information is included on the Parish Council’s website: and a copy is posted on the village notice boards.
  • Information can also be obtained from the Clerk to the Council by e-mailing: cwbpc@outlook.com or by telephoning 01302 772493.  If necessary an appointment to view documentation will be made within a reasonable timescale following the request.
  • The Council will adhere to requirements under disability and discrimination legislation and any other legislation to provide information in other forms and formats.

Charges which may be made for information published under the scheme:

  • Material on the website is free of charge
  • Charges for routinely published material will be kept to a minimum.
  • Charges may be made for actual disbursement incurred, e.g. photocopying, postage/packing plus the cost directly incurred as a result of viewing information
  • Charges may also be made for information provided under the scheme where they are legally authorised.
  • Where a charge is made this will be confirmed to an applicant in advance*   The Parish Council may also request payment prior to providing the information if it so wishes.
  • *For the time being the cost will be 10 pence per sheet plus any postage charges

Details of documents available for inspection are contained in Appendix 1

Information to be published

How the information can be obtained

Cost

Class1 - Who we are and what we do

(Organisational information, structures, locations and contacts)

 

This will be current information only

Hard copy from the Clerk

Website

Parish notice boards

Newsletter in local publication

See

Attached

Who’s who on the Council and its Committees

As above

 

Contact details for Parish Clerk and Council members (named contacts where possible with telephone number and email address (if used))

As above

 

Location of main Council office and accessibility details

N/A

 

Staffing structure

Hard copy from the Clerk

 

Class 2 – What we spend and how we spend it

(Financial information relating to projected and actual income and expenditure, procurement, contracts and financial audit)

 

Current and previous financial year as a minimum

Hard copy from the Clerk

 

Annual return form and report by auditor

Website

Hard copy from the Clerk

 

Finalised budget

Hard copy from the Clerk

 

Precept

Hard copy from the Clerk

 

Borrowing Approval letter

Hard copy from the Clerk

 

Financial Standing Orders and Regulations

Website

Hard copy from the Clerk

 

Grants given and received

Hard copy from the Clerk

 

List of current contracts awarded and value of contract

Hard copy from the Clerk

 

Members’ allowances and expenses

Hard copy from the Clerk

 

Class 3 – What our priorities are and how we are doing

(Strategies and plans, performance indicators, audits, inspections and reviews)

 

Council minutes displayed

on notice boards, web site and from the Clerk

 

Parish Plan (current and previous year as a minimum)

N/A

 

Annual Report to Parish or Community Meeting (current and previous year as a minimum)

Hard copy from the Clerk

Website 

 

 

Quality status

N/A

 

Local charters drawn up in accordance with DCLG guidelines

Hard copy from the Clerk

 

Class 4 – How we make decisions

(Decision making processes and records of decisions)

Current and previous council year as a minimum

 

Council minutes displayed

on notice boards, web site and from the Clerk

 

Timetable of meetings (Council, any committee/sub-committee meetings and parish meetings)

Parish notice boards and website

 

Agendas of meetings (as above)

Parish notice boards, website and at meetings

 

Minutes of meetings (as above) – N.B. this will exclude information that is properly regarded as private to the meeting.

Displayed on notice boards, web site and from the Clerk

 

Reports presented to council meetings - nb this will exclude information that is properly regarded as private to the meeting.

Hard copy from the Clerk

 

Responses to consultation papers

Hard copy from the Clerk

 

Responses to planning applications

Hard copy from the Clerk

 

Bye-laws

N/A

 

Class 5 – Our policies and procedures

(Current written protocols, policies and procedures for delivering our services and responsibilities) - Current information only

 

Website

Hard copy from the Clerk

 

 

Policies and procedures for the conduct of council business:

Procedural standing orders

Committee and sub-committee terms of reference

Delegated authority in respect of officers

Code of Conduct

Policy statements

Website

Hard copy from the Clerk

 

Policies and procedures for the provision of services and about the employment of staff:

Internal policies relating to the delivery of services

Equality and diversity policy

Health and safety policy

Recruitment policies (including current vacancies)

Policies and procedures for handling requests for information

Complaints procedures (including those covering requests for information and operating the publication scheme)

 

Website

Hard copy from the Clerk

 

Information security policy

 

Website

Hard copy from the Clerk

 

Records management policies (records retention, destruction and archive)

Website

Hard copy from the Clerk

 

Data protection policies

 

Website

Hard copy from the Clerk

 

Schedule of charges (for the publication of information)

 

Website

Hard copy from the Clerk

 

Class 6 – Lists and Registers

Currently maintained lists and registers only

Hard copy from the Clerk

 

Any publicly available register or list (if any are held this should be publicised; in most circumstances existing access provisions will suffice)

Hard copy from the Clerk if available

 

 

Assets Register

Hard copy from the Clerk

 

Disclosure log (indicating the information that has been provided in response to requests; recommended as good practice, but may not be held by parish councils)

Hard copy from the Clerk

 

Register of members’ interests

Website

Hard copy from the Clerk

 

Register of gifts and hospitality

Hard copy from the Clerk

 

Class 7 – The services we offer

(Information about the services we offer, including leaflets, guidance and newsletters produced for the public and businesses)

Current information only

Website

Hard copy from the Clerk

 

Allotments

N/A

 

Burial grounds and closed churchyards

N/A

 

Community centres and village halls

Website

Hard copy from the Clerk

 

Parks, playing fields and recreational facilities

Hard copy from the Clerk

 

Seating, litter bins, clocks, memorials and lighting

Hard copy from the Clerk

 

Bus shelters

N/A

 

Markets

N/A

 

Public conveniences

N/A

 

Agency agreements

N/A

 

A summary of services for which the council is entitled to recover a fee, together with those fees (e.g. burial fees)

N/A

 

Additional Information

This will provide Councils with the opportunity to publish information that is not itemised in the lists above

 

 

 

Contact details: Clerk to the Council: Ms J A Staniforth

Tel. No. 01302 772493

Email: cwbpc@outlook.com

Schedule of charges

This describes how the charges have been arrived at and should be published as part of the guide.

TYPE OF CHARGE

DESCRIPTION

BASIS OF CHARGE

Disbursement cost

Photocopying @10.p per sheet (black & white)

Actual cost *

 

Photocopying @ 10.p per sheet (colour)

Actual cost

 

Postage

Actual cost of Royal Mail standard 2nd class

Statutory Fee

 

In accordance with the relevant legislation (quote the actual statute)

* the actual cost incurred by the public authority