Freedom of Information

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 provides statutory rights for those requesting information together with a strong enforcement regime. Under the terms of the Act, any member of the public can apply for access to information held by bodies across the public sector, including Parliament, Government departments, local authorities, health trusts, doctors’ surgeries, publicly funded museums and many other organisations. The main features of the Act are:

  • A general right of access to information held by public authorities in the course of carrying out their public functions, subject to certain conditions and exemptions;
  • In most cases where information is exempt from disclosure there is a duty on public authorities to disclose where, in the view of the public authority, the public interest in disclosure outweighs the public interest in maintaining the exemption in question;
  • A new office of Information Commissioner and a new Information Tribunal, with wide powers to enforce the rights created;
  • A duty imposed on public authorities to adopt a scheme for the publication of information. The scheme, which must be approved by the Commissioner, will specify the classes of information the authority intends to publish, the manner of publication and whether the information is available to the public free of charge or on payment of a fee.

Penkridge Parish Council has adopted the Model Publication Scheme as approved by the Information Commissioner.

Information available from Penkridge Parish Council under the model publication scheme.

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
Who’s who on the Council and its Committees

Website

Hardcopy

Free
10p per sheet

Contact details for Parish Clerk and Council members

Website

Hardcopy

Free
10p per sheet

Location of main Council office and accessibility details

Website

Hardcopy

Free
10p per sheet

Staffing structure

Website

Hardcopy

Free
10p per sheet

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

Annual return form and report by auditor

Website

Hardcopy

Free
10p per sheet

Finalised budget
Hardcopy
10p per sheet
Precept
Hardcopy
10p per sheet
Borrowing Approval letter

N/A

N/A
Financial Standing Orders and Regulations
Hardcopy
10p per sheet
Grants given and received
Hardcopy
10p per sheet
List of current contracts awarded and value of contract
Hardcopy
10p per sheet

Members’ allowances and expenses

Hardcopy
10p per sheet

Class 3 – What our priorities are and how we are doing
Strategies and plans, performance indicators, audits, inspections and reviews

Parish Plan

Currently being updated

10p per sheet
Annual Report to Parish or Community Meeting
Hardcopy
10p per sheet
Quality status

Website

Hardcopy

Free
10p per sheet

Local charters drawn up in accordance with DCLG guidelines

N/A
N/A

Class 4 – How we make decisions
Decision making processes and records of decisions

Timetable of meetings

Website

Hardcopy

Free
10p per sheet

Agendas of meetings

Website

Hardcopy

Free
10p per sheet

Minutes of meetings

Website

Hardcopy

Free
10p per sheet

Reports presented to council meetings
Hardcopy
10p per sheet
Responses to consultation papers
Hardcopy
10p per sheet
Responses to planning applications
Hardcopy
10p per sheet
Bye-laws
Hardcopy
10p per sheet

Class 5 – Our policies and procedures
Current written protocols, policies and procedures for delivering our services and responsibilities

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

Hardcopy
10p per sheet

Policies and procedures for the provision of services and about the employment of staff:
Internal policies relating to the delivery of services

Hardcopy
10p per sheet

Equality and diversity policy
Health and safety policy
Policies and procedures for handling requests for information

Complaints procedures
Hardcopy
10p per sheet

Information security policy

Hardcopy
10p per sheet
Records management policies (records retention, destruction and archive)
Hardcopy
10p per sheet

Data protection policies

Hardcopy
10p per sheet

Schedule of charges

Hardcopy
10p per sheet

Class 6 – Lists and Registers
Currently maintained lists and registers only

Electoral Register

Read only
Assets Register
Hardcopy
10p per sheet

Disclosure log

N/A
N/A
Register of members’ interests
Hardcopy
10p per sheet

Register of gifts and hospitality

Hardcopy
10p per sheet

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
Allotments

Website

Hardcopy

Free
10p per sheet

Burial grounds and closed churchyards

Website

Hardcopy

Free
10p per sheet

Community centres and village halls – Haling Dene Centre

Website

Hardcopy

Free
10p per sheet

Parks, playing fields and recreational facilities

Website

Hardcopy

Free
10p per sheet

Seating, litter bins, clocks, memorials and lighting
Hardcopy
10p per sheet
Bus shelters
Hardcopy
10p per sheet
Markets
N/A
N/A
Public conveniences

Website

Hardcopy

Free
10p per sheet

Agency agreements

N/A
N/A
A summary of services for which the council is entitled to recover a fee, together with those fees (e.g. burial fees)
Hardcopy
10p per sheet