Overview
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI) provides public access to information held by public authorities. It does this in two ways:
- Obliges public authorities to publish certain information about their activities.
- Entitles members of the public to request information from public authorities.
Hence, as well as responding to requests for information, Freshford Parish Council publishes information proactively. The FOI requires every public authority to have a publication scheme and to publish information covered by the scheme.
The Freshford Parish Council Publication Scheme sets out the Council’s commitment to making certain classes of information routinely available, such as policies and procedures, minutes of meetings, annual reports and financial information.
Structure
Under this publication scheme there are seven types (classes) of information that the Council publishes. The seven classes of information are broad and cover all the formal types of information that the Council holds, such as information about the structure of the Council, minutes of meetings, contracts, reports, plans and policies. The seven classes of information are:
- Class 1 – Who we are and what we do.
- Class 2 – What we spend and how we spend it.
- Class 3 – What our priorities are and how we are doing.
- Class 4 – How we make decisions.
- Class 5 – Our policies and procedures.
- Class 6 – Lists and Registers.
- Class 7 – The services we offer.
The Freshford Parish Council Publication Scheme is presented in the table below following guidance provided by the Information Commissioner’s Office, using the suggested template.
General Information
Links are provided for access to all the detailed information where it is maintained.
The guidance provided by the ICO covers the statutory requirements and is not exhaustive. However, the PC strives to to be as Open and Transparent as possible. Should you believe that there are omissions then please contact the PC via:
Please note that the ICO model form includes a Cost column. Costs will only potentially arise for hard copy information, should the need arise. These costs are described in a following table. Most information is available online and no costs arise accessing this information.
Links are provided for information that is available on the website. Hard copy information can be provided on request to the Clerk. The simplest way to place a request with the Clerk is via:.
Freshford Parish Council Publication Scheme
SCHEDULE OF CHARGES
| Information to be published | How the information can be obtained |
|---|---|
| Class 1 – Who we are and what we do Organisational information, structures, locations and contacts. Current information. | |
| Who’s who on the Council and its Committees | Your Councillors |
| Contact details for Parish Clerk and Council members (named contacts where possible with telephone number and email address (if used)) | Your Councillors |
| Location of main Council office and accessibility details | Not Applicable |
| Staffing structure | Not Applicable |
| 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 Current and previous financial year as a minimum | |
| Annual return form and report by auditor | Financial Audit |
| Finalised budget | Budget |
| Precept | Precept |
| Borrowing Approval letter | Tyning Purchase Loan |
| Financial Standing Orders and Regulations | Standing Orders |
| Grants given and received | Contact the Clerk for any details |
| List of current contracts awarded and value of contract | Contact the Clerk for any details |
| Members’ allowances and expenses | Contact the Clerk for any details |
| Class 3 – What our priorities are and how we are doing Strategies and plans, performance indicators, audits, inspections and reviews. Current and previous financial year as a minimum | |
| Neighbourhood Plan | Neighbourhood Plan |
| Annual Report to Parish or Community Meeting (current and previous year as a minimum) | Annual Parish Meeting |
| Quality status | Not Applicable |
| Local charters drawn up in accordance with DCLG guidelines | Not Applicable |
| Class 4 – How we make decisions Decision making processes and records of decisions Current and previous financial year as a minimum | |
| Timetable of meetings (Council, any committee/sub-committee meetings and parish meetings) | Meetings & Minutes |
| Agendas of meetings (as above) | Meetings & Minutes |
| Minutes of meetings (as above) (nb this will exclude information that is properly regarded as private to the meeting) | Meetings & Minutes |
| Reports presented to council meetings (nb this will exclude information that is properly regarded as private to the meeting) | Meetings & Minutes |
| Responses to consultation papers | Meetings & Minutes. Most consultations are now online. Contact the Clerk for any details |
| Responses to planning applications | Meetings & Minutes B&NES Website – Planning |
| Bye-laws | Not Applicable |
| Class 5 – Our policies and procedures Current written protocols, policies and procedures for delivering our services and responsibilities Current information only | |
| Policies and procedures for the conduct of council business: | |
| (1) Procedural standing orders | Procedural Standing Orders |
| (2) Committee and sub-committee terms of reference | Not Applicable |
| (3) Delegated authority in respect of officers | Not Applicable |
| (4) Code of Conduct | Conduct of Parish Councillors |
| (5) Policy statements | Policies and Procedures |
| Policies and procedures for the provision of services and about the employment of staff: | |
| (1) Internal policies relating to the delivery of services | Not Applicable |
| (2) Equality and diversity policy | Not Applicable |
| (3) Health and safety policy | Not Applicable |
| (4) Recruitment policies (including current vacancies) | Not Applicable |
| (5) Policies and procedures for handling requests for information | Contact the Clerk for details. |
| (6) Complaints procedures (including those covering requests for information and operating the publication scheme) | Contact the Clerk for details. |
| Information security policy | Not Applicable |
| Records management policies (records retention, destruction and archive) | Not Applicable |
| Data protection policies | In accordance with GDPR |
| Schedule of charges (for the publication of information) | See following table. |
| Class 6 – Lists and Registers Currently maintained lists and registers only | |
| Any publicly available register or list (if any are held this should be publicised; in most circumstances existing access provisions will suffice) | Contact the Clerk for any details |
| Assets Register | Asset Register |
| Disclosure log | Not Applicable |
| Register of members’ interests | Your Councillors |
| Register of gifts and hospitality | Contact the Clerk for any details |
| 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 | None. |
| Burial grounds and closed churchyards and schedule of fees | Contact the Clerk for any details |
| Community centres and village halls | Not Applicable |
| Parks, playing fields and recreational facilities | The Tyning |
| Seating, litter bins, clocks, memorials and lighting | PC Assets |
| Bus shelters | None |
| Markets | None |
| Public conveniences | None |
| Agency agreements | None |
| . | |
| Additional Information | |
| 1 | |
| 2 | |
| 3 | |
| 4 | |
| 5 |
The following charges may apply for information not available via the website:
| Type of Charge | Description | Cost | Basis of Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIspbursement | Photocopying | 20p per sheet | Actual cost |
| Postage | Unknown | Actual cost of Royal Mail standard 2nd class | |
| Statutory Fee | £450.00 limit based on 18 hours @£25.00 per hour | £25/hour | In accordance with the relevant legislation |