BEECH PARISH COUNCIL

 

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000

 

INFORMATION FOR PARISHIONERS

 

 

Beech Parish Council will make available Parish Council information on written request to people resident in this parish.  In so doing, the Council is following the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 which includes a Publications Scheme for Parish Councils.  Copies of the Scheme (with a table showing what information is accessible) will be available on request at Parish Council meetings and on the Parish Council Website (www.BeechPC.com) - see below.

 

Whilst welcoming this initiative, parishioners will be aware that he Parish Council has modest resources.  The Council therefore has to charge for this information, to account for some of the costs of production.  The Publication Scheme will be revised from time to time.

 

Beech Parish Council has a policy of accountability to residents and aims to be as open and transparent in its dealings as possible.  We welcome public interest in the Parish Council.                             

 

 

 

 

Parish Clerk

(Mrs Sheron Gillard)

 

January 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INFORMATION AVAILABLE FROM 

BEECH PARISH COUNCIL

Under the Model Publication Scheme

(revised January 2009)

 

 

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 to develop a greater culture of openness and transparency.  This 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.

 

            Who We Are and What We Do

            Organisational information, structures, locations and contacts.

 

           

           Information

Format in which it is available

Charge for

Paper supply

(yes/no)

Council Structure and List of Council Members (with contact details)

 

Webpage at: www.beechpc.com

or electronic

A4 loose leaf

Or see Notice board

Free

 

Yes

Contact details for Parish Office/Clerk

Webpage at: www.beechpc.com 

Provides e-mail and postage address and telephone number.

Also available on Notice boards.

Free

 

 

            What we spend and how we spend it

            Financial information relating to projected and actual income and expenditure,

procurement, contracts and financial audit.

 

            Information

Format in which it is available

Charge for

Paper supply

(incl. p&p)

Annual return form

A4 loose-leaf

Yes

Annual statutory report by auditor (internal and external)

A4 loose-leaf

Yes

 

Finalised Budget

 A4 loose-leaf

 Yes

Precept request

A4 copies

Yes

VAT records – limited to the last financial year

A4 copies

Yes

Financial Standing Orders and Regulations

A4 loose-leaf

Electronic

Yes

Assets register

Assets listed Notes to the Accounts. A4 Loose-leaf.

Yes

Members’ allowances/expenses

Approved expenses detailed in Council Minutes – see website www.beechpc.com or

A4 loose-leaf or electronic.

Free

 

 

Yes

Financial risk assessment

Annual Risk Assessment detailed in Council Minutes (Feb) – see website www.beechpc.com or

A4 loose-leaf or electronic.

Free

 

 

Yes

Grants/donations given (and any received)

Approved grants/donations detailed in Council Minutes – see website www.beechpc.com or A4 loose-leaf or electronic

Free

 

Yes

 

 

            What our priorities are and how we are doing

            Strategies and plans, performance indicators, audits, inspections and reviews.

           

            Information

   Format in which it is available

  Charge for

     supply

    (yes/no)                                                          

Village Design Statement

A4 colour booklet

Yes

Village Appraisal

A4 booklet

Yes

 

Annual Report to Parish Meeting

On website at www.beechpc.com

Or electronically

Or April issue Beech Newsletter or A4 loose-leaf copy

Free

 

 

Yes

Responses made by council to consultation papers

To view in Council Meeting Minutes – available as detailed above.

Yes

Complaints handling procedure

On website

A4 loose-leaf copy

Free

Yes

 

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

How we make Decisions

            Decision making processes and records of decisions

 

           Information

   Format in which it is available

  Charge for

     supply                                                          

Timetable & venue of meetings

On website at www.beechpc.com

Or on Notice Boards

Or electronically

Or A4 loose-leaf

Free

 

 

Yes

Agendas for Council Meetings

(available approx. 5 days prior to scheduled meeting)

On website at www.beechpc.com

Or on Notice Boards

Or electronically

Or A4 loose-leaf

Free

 

 

Yes

Minutes of Council Meetings

(approved)

On website at www.beechpc.com

Or to view during public session at Council meetings

Or electronically

Or A4 loose-leaf

Free

 

 

 

Yes

Responses to planning   applications

See appropriate Council Meeting Minutes (see above)

Or contact Planning Authority, EHDC at www.easthants.gov.uk

 

Procedural standing orders

Available to view during public session at Council Meeting

Or electronically

Or A4 loose-leaf sheets.

Free

 

 

Yes

Minutes of Annual Parish Meeting (approved)

On website at www.beechpc.com

Or electronically

Or A4 loose-leaf

Free

 

Yes

 

            Our Policies and Procedures

            Current written protocols, policies and procedures for delivering our services and

responsibilities

           

            Information

   Format in which it is available

  Charge for

     supply                                                        

Council Standing Orders

Available to view during public session at Council Meeting

Or electronically

Or A4 loose-leaf sheets.

Free

 

 

Yes

Council Financial Regulations  

Available to view during public session at Council Meeting

Or electronically

Or A4 loose-leaf sheets.

Free

 

 

Yes

Complaints Procedure

Or A4 loose-leaf copy

Yes

Requests for Information

Website

A4 loose-leaf

 

Information Security Policy

(in development)

 

 

Records Management Policies (records retention, destruction and archive)

A4 loose-leaf

Yes

Data Protection Policy

Website

A4 loose-leaf

 

Yes

Policies and Procedures about employment of staff

(in development)

 

 

            Lists and Registers

            Any information we are currently legally required to hold in publicly available

registers.

 

Members’ declaration of

acceptance of office

Available to view by prior arrangement/ appointment with Clerk

No

Members’ register of interests

As above or at EHDC.

No

Register of members’ interests book

Available to view on request.

No

 

            The Services we Offer

            Information about the services we offer, leaflets, guidance and newsletters produced

for the public and businesses.  Details of the services for which we are entitled to

recover a fee together with those fees.

 

None currently.

 

 

 

           

 

            SCHEDULE OF CHARGES

 

Charges made are for reasonable disbursements costs ie. actual photocopying, 1st class postage and packaging costs.  These costs are advised when a request is received and payment will be required before information is provided.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BEECH PARISH COUNCIL

 

Tel: 01420 568145

www.beechpc.com

e-mail: beechpc@gillardhome.plus.com