Freedom of Information Act

New Model Publication Scheme 2008, Auckley Parish Council

The 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

12^th November 2008. The scheme will be valid until further notice and any modification which removes information from the model scheme will require the approval of the Information Commissioner.

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: www.auckleyparish.co.uk and a copy is posted on the village notice boards.
Information can also be obtained from the Clerk to the Council by e-mailing

clerk@auckleyparishcouncil.gov.uk or by telephoning 07857 568268. 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.

Class 1

This will be current information only:

Who’s who on Council and Committees.
Contact details for Clerk and members (with telephone number, address and e-mail address)

Class 2

Current/previous financial year as minimum
Annual return form and auditor’s report
Finalised budget
Precept
Any borrowing approval letter
Financial Standing Orders/Regulations
List of current contracts award and value
Members’ allowances and expenses

Class 3

Parish Plan
Annual Report to Parish
Quality status
Local charters drawn to DCLG guidelines

Class 4

Timetable of all meetings
Agendas of all meetings
Minutes of all meetings (excluding information properly regarded as private to the meeting)
Reports presented to Council meetings (-ditto-)
Responses to consultation papers
Responses to planning applications
Bye-laws

Class 5

Policies and procedures for the conduct of business
Procedural standing orders
Committee/sub committee terms of reference
Delegated authority in respect of officers
Code of Conduct
Policy Statements
Policies and procedures for provision of Services and the employment of staff
Internal policies relating to the delivery of services
Equality/diversity policy
Health and safety policy
Complaints procedures (inc. requests for information and operating the publication scheme)
Records management policies (records retention, destruction and archive)
Data protection policies
Schedule of charges (for publication of information)

Class 6

Assets register
Register of members’ interests
Register of gifts and hospitality
Class 7
Parks, playing fields and recreational facilities
Seating, litter bins, memorials and lighting