Freedom of Information Act 2000

Publication Scheme

Adopted by the Council on 9th May 2005.

Declaration Form

has adopted the model scheme titled: Model Publication Scheme for Local Councils (Core Classes Only) produced in accordance with section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and will publish information in accordance with that scheme.

Signature

Position: Parish Clerk

Date: 9th May 2005

The contact details for the person/official who will be responsible for maintaining the publication scheme and who should be contacted if any issues arise concerning the organisation's compliance with the Freedom of Information Act are:

Model Publication Scheme for Local Councils

Model Publication Scheme for Parish, Town and Community Councils

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 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 defines a local authority within the meaning of the Local Government Act 1972 as a public authority. This includes a parish, town and community council in England and Wales.

Fees

It is important that users of the scheme are made aware of any fees that will be charged for any particular piece of information that they wish to access under the publication scheme. It is intended FEES will be reviewed annually and decisions minuted. A copy of the minutes are displayed on the Parish web site www.stmarthaparishcouncil.co.uk.

Core Classes of Information

Denotes this option is applicable to St Martha Parish Council.
Denotes this option is NOT applicable to St Martha Parish Council and not necessarily available from the Clerk.

1. Council Internal Practice and Procedure

Minutes of council, committee and sub-committee meetings - limited to the last 2 years
Procedural Standing Orders
Councils Annual Report to Parish Meeting (limited to the last 2 years)
Optional documents:
Agendas and supporting papers for council, committee and sub-committee meetings-limited in each case to the forthcoming/immediate meeting
Terms of Reference for Committees

2. Code of Conduct

Members Declaration of Acceptance of Office
Members Register of Interests	†
Register of Members Interests Book	†

† Held by Guildford Borough Council

3. Periodic Electoral Review

This 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.

Information relating to the last Periodic Electoral Review of the council area
Information relating to the latest boundary review of the council area

4. Employment Practice and Procedure

Terms & conditions of employment
Job descriptions
Optional documents:
Equal Opportunities Policy
Health & Safety Policy
Staffing Structure

Exclusions - '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 Documents

Responses to planning applications (limited to last 3 years)
Optional documents:
Parish Plan

Exclusions - Copies 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.

6. Audit and Accounts

This 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.

Annual return form - limited to the last financial year
Annual Statutory report by auditor (Internal and external) - limited to the last financial year
Receipt/Payment books, Receipt books of all kinds, Bank Statements from all accounts - limited to the last financial year
Precept request - limited to the last financial year
VAT records - limited to the last financial year
Financial Standing Orders and Regulations
Assets register - this will include details of commons/village greens owned by the council including management schemes for commons as well as village halls, community centres and recreation grounds.
Risk Assessments
Optional documents:
Loan sanction approvals (limited to the last 2 years)
Fees and charges applied by the council
Safety inspection records for example for playgrounds
Register/file of members allowances