FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 - PUBLICATION SCHEMES

Bishampton and Throckmorton Parish Council has adopted the model scheme titled Model Publication Scheme (Core Classes, plus optional Class 7) produced in accordance with section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and will publish information in accordance with that scheme.

MODEL PUBLICATION SCHEME FOR LOCAL COUNCILS (CORE CLASSES, PLUS OPTIONAL CLASS 7)

1. This is a model publication scheme for parish, town and community councils (known collectively as 'local councils') in England and Wales. Local councils are the first tier of local government. There are over 10,000 such councils in England and Wales and they have a wide range of powers at their disposal.
   The purpose of the scheme is to be a means by which local councils can make a significant amount of information available routinely, without waiting for someone to specifically request it. The scheme is intended to encourage local councils to publish more information proactively and to develop a greater culture of openness and transparency.
2. In accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 the scheme specifies the classes of information which local councils publish or intend to publish. The model scheme comprises of a number of core classes of information which are mandatory. It also includes a number of optional documents (within those core classes) as well as a group of optional classes. Any optional documents within a core class of information are clearly specified therein.
   Excluded throughout the model scheme is general correspondence sent or received by councils and all information relating to private individuals by virtue of it being personal data under the Data Protection Act 1998.
   In certain classes a limitation on the age of some documents has also been stipulated. For the avoidance of doubt this does not mean information beyond that date cannot be obtained, it simply indicates that it is not available as a matter of course within the model publication scheme.
   If original documents are more readily available from another source, details of that organisation are again specified in the scheme.
3. The information contained in each class will be available in hard copy on request from the clerk of the council, by inspection by prior appointment or some of the information may be available on the Bishampton and Throckmorton website at www.netword.com/*BTPC
4. The Council reserves the right to make reasonable charges for the provision of copies of the documents/information listed in each of the classes.

The classes are as follows:-

CORE CLASSES OF INFORMATION

1) COUNCIL INTERNAL PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE

Minutes of council, committee and sub-committee meetings - limited to the last 2 years.
Procedural Standing Orders
Councils Annual Report to Parish Meeting

Optional documents: -
Agendas and supporting papers for council, committee and sub-committee meetings-limited in each case to the forthcoming/immediate meeting.

2) CODE OF CONDUCT

Members Declaration of Acceptance of Office
Members Register of Interests
Register of Members Interests Book

3) PERIODIC ELECTORAL REVIEW

This is information concerning changes to the electoral arrangements for parish, town and community councils. It includes recommendations for the creation of new wards, the amendment of existing wards, proposals for the names of new wards and alterations to the number of councillors to be elected to the council.

Information relating to the last Periodic Electoral Review of the council area
Information relating to the latest boundary review of the council area

4) EMPLOYMENT PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE

Terms & 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

5) PLANNING DOCUMENTS

Responses to planning applications

Optional documents: - Parish Plan

Exclusions - Copies of planning consultations, the Development Plan, Structure Plan, Local Plan and Rights of Way/Footpath maps all of which are available from the local planning and/or highway authority respectively

6) 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
Receipt/Payment books, Receipt books of all kinds, Bank Statements from all accounts - limited to the last financial year
Precept request - limited to the last financial year
VAT records - limited to the last financial year
Financial Standing Orders and Regulations
Assets register - this will include details of commons/village greens owned by the council including management schemes for commons as well as village halls, community centres and recreation grounds.
Risk Assessments

Exclusions - all commercially sensitive information e.g. quotations and tenders, loan documentation and insurance policies. With regard to quotations and tenders, this information is treated as confidential to ensure that the whole tender process is fair i.e. if tender information is released to a third party prior to the end of the tender period those who initially submitted tenders could be undercut and/or unfairly disadvantaged.

OPTIONAL CLASSES OF INFORMATION

7) DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICY

Policy Statements issued by council
Responses made by council to consultation papers
Analysis of responses received to public consultations by the council
Village Appraisal
Complaints handling procedure

Date: 27 February 2003

Mrs A.Boocock
Parish Clerk
11 Babylon Lane
Bishampton
Pershore
Worcs
WR10 2NN
01386 462 551