Publication SchemeInformation for Parishioners fromCompton and Shawford Parish CouncilBackgroundThe Freedom of Information Act 2000 received Royal Assent on 30th November 2000. The Act defines the public authorities that are covered by the Act and so are required to adopt and maintain a publication scheme. Paragraph 7, Part II of Schedule 1 of the Freedom of Information Act defined a "local" within the meaning of the Local Government Act 1972 as a public authority. What is a Publication Scheme?Under the Act, every public authority is required to adopt and maintain a Publication Scheme. This scheme provides the public with a structured listing of any information released, with authorities undertaking a commitment to make it available to all. The scheme must set out how the Parish Council intends to charge for providing the information. In this scheme, the term "publication" refers to documents available in a variety of formats. Model SchemeAttached is Compton and Shawford Parish Council's publication scheme that defines information that the Parish Council holds and which is accessible to members of the public. The Parish Council strives to be as open as possible with local government information and the work it does. The Parish Council wishes to introduce greater openness and to continue to seek ways to make even more information available to the public. What Charges are there?Where a member of the public is seeking to obtain a copy of information included in this Parish Council's publication scheme, the council may set reasonable charges for this. Costs are available on application by post to the Clerk and may include photocopying costs, postage (where incurred) and staff time. Confidentiality NoticeCompton and Shawford Parish Council's policy is to be as open as possible and to supply the information requested, but the Parish Council may withhold any information if it considers its release not to be in the public interest and could cause significant harm. Any sensitive and confidential information is exempt from public dissemination. Any exclusions as prescribed by law are referenced in the publication scheme. Requests for InformationAnyone can request information in writing or by e-mail. The request must include details of the applicant's address in the Parish and the information sought. The applicant has two rights, to be told whether the information is held by the Parish Council and to receive the information as a copy or summary, if considered to be in the public interest. The Parish Council will respond within 20 days of the request. If a fee is required, the Parish Council can extend this period up to 3 months until the fee is paid. Requests for information should be addressed to the following:- Mr. M.G.Langford - Clerk |
Electorate: 1230Publication Scheme under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.The purpose of this publication scheme is to be a means by which the council can make a significant amount of information available routinely. The scheme will ensure that the council will publish more information pro-actively and help it to develop a greater culture of openness and transparency. The authority's key responsibilities are to represent the electorate of its areas, to take action within the legal framework and to provide a leadership focus for the community. Core Classes of Information – Available upon written request from the Clerk.1. Council Internal Practice and Procedure.
2. Code of Conduct
3. Periodic Electoral ReviewThis is information concerning changes to the electoral arrangements for parish, town and community councils. It includes recommendations for the creation of new wards, the amendment of existing wards, proposals for the names of new wards and alterations to the number of councillors to be elected to the council.
4. Employment Practice and ProcedureExclusions – "personal records" i.e., appraisals, employee specific salary details, disciplinary records, sickness records and the like by virtue of being personal data under the Data Protection Act 1998.
5. Planning DocumentsExclusions – Copies of planning consultations, the Development Plan, Structure Plan, Local Plan and Rights of Way/Footpath maps all of which are available from local planning and/or highway authority respectively.
6. Audit and AccountsExclusions:- all commercially sensitive information e.g., quotations and tenders, loan documentation and insurance policies. With regard to quotations and tenders, this information is treated as confidential to ensure that the whole tender process is fair i.e., if tender information is released to a third party prior to the end of the tender period, those who initially submitted tenders could be undercut and/or unfairly disadvantaged.
Optional Documents within Core Classes – Available upon written request from the Clerk.1. Council Internal Practice and Procedure
2. Employment Practice and ProcedureExclusions – "personal records" i.e., appraisals, employee specific salary details, disciplinary records, sickness records and the like by virtue of being personal data under the Data Protection Act 1998.
3. Planning Documents
4. Audit and Accounts
5. Development and Implementation of Policy
6. Byelaws
7. Council Circulars/Newsletters
8. Arts, Entertainment and Tourist Information
9. AllotmentsExclusions:- individual Tenancy agreements and rent payment records under both privacy and data protection laws.
10. Burial GroundsExclusions – all documentation relating to individual applications and registration under both privacy and data protection laws.
11. Best ValueThis is information, which encompasses the duty owed by a Parish Council to the local community, to provide good quality services at an acceptable cost, to continually improve the delivery of public services and to marshal such services across its entire area.
ExclusionsCore Classes of InformationEmployment Practice and Procedure"Personal records", i.e., appraisals, employee specific salary details, disciplinary records, sickness records and the like by virtue of being data under the Data Protection Act 1998. Planning DocumentsCopies of planning consultations, the Development Plan, Structure Plan, Local Plan and Rights of Way/Footpath maps, all of which are available from the local planning and/or highway authority respectively. Audit and AccountsAll commercially sensitive information, e.g., quotations and tenders, loan documentation and insurance policies. With regard to quotations and tenders, this information is treated as confidential to ensure that the whole tender process is fair, i.e., if tender information is released to a third party prior to the end of the tender period, those who initially submitted tenders could be undercut and/or unfairly disadvantaged. Optional Classes of InformationAllotmentsIndividual tenancy agreements and rent payment records, should they exist, under both privacy and data protection laws. Burial GroundsAll documentation relating to individual applications and registrations, should they ever exist, under both privacy and data protection laws. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||