FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 – PUBLICATION SCHEME.

Model Publication Scheme for local councils (Core classes, plus optional classes of information).

The scheme is intended to encourage local councils to publish more information proactively and to develop a greater culture of openness and transparency. The list details what information is obtainable. All local Authorities are required to have a publication scheme and the Parish Council is only required to list the information it produces.

Higham Parish Council has endeavoured to be open and accountable to its residents and adopted this scheme on 1st December 2008. The publication scheme is maintained by the Parish Clerk and the Parish Council is happy to make the documents detailed in the following list available, however the model publication scheme does restrict some documents such as Minutes to the last 2 years.

It is not the intention of the Parish Council to charge for copies of this scheme or for information that is then requested. However, it has reserved the right to do so. Charging will be at the discretion of the Clerk and the Chairman of the Parish Council.

Further information or copies of particular documents can be requested from the Clerk by the following methods:-

Telephoning  01474  822642 (ansaphone when not in attendance)

Or emailing enquiries@higham-kent-pc.gov.uk

Photocopies of documents requested under this scheme will be forwarded within 20 working days wherever possible.

In the spirit of openness and accountability the Parish Council allows residents to address members at its public meetings, dates of which can be found within the Annual Newsletter published by the Parish Council and delivered to every home within the village,  or on its website.

Copies of Newsletters, Minutes and Agendas of Meetings since 2004 are available for download from our website www.higham-kent-pc.gov.uk

CORE CLASSES OF INFORMATION

Council Internal Practice and Procedure.

Minutes of Council Meetings

Procedural Standing Orders

Agendas

Councils’ Annual Report to Parish Assembly (contained within Newsletter booklet)

Terms of Reference for Committees.

Code of Conduct

Members’ Declaration of Acceptance of Office

Register of Members’ Interest forms

Employment Practice and Procedure

Terms and conditions of employment

Job descriptions

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.

Planning Documents

Responses to planning applications

Exclusions -  Copies of planning consultations, The Development Plan, Structure Plan, Local Plan and Rights of way/Footway maps all of which are available from the local Planning and/or Highway Authority respectively.

Audit and Accounts

Annual Return Form – limited to the last financial year.

Annual Statutory report by auditor (internal and external) – limited to the last financial year.

Audited Accounts – 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.

Allotment Register and sample agreement

Precept request – limited to the last financial year.

VAT records – limited to the last financial year.

Assets Register

Risk Assessment

Budget details – limited to the last financial year.

Report from Budget and Finance Committee – limited to the last financial year.

Quarterly Financial Statements – limited to the last financial year.

Contact us by email: enquiries@higham-kent-pc.gov.uk

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