Freedom of Information

Publication Scheme under the Freedom of Information Act 2000

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 every Parish Council is required to adopt and maintain a publication scheme setting out the types of information it will make available, how that information can be obtained and whether a charge will be made for that information. The purpose of this publication scheme is to be a means by which the parish council will publish more information proactively, and help it to sustain openness and transparency.

The scheme contains core classes of information that correspond with the main functions carried out by the Parish Council. The following lists the ways in which the Parish Council will make the information available.

Information available from St Bees Parish Council under the model publication scheme

Information to be published	How the information can be obtained	Cost
Class1 – Who we are and what we do (Organisational information, structures, locations and contacts) This will be current information only
Who’s who on the Council and its Committees	Hard copy- contact Clerk	5p/sheet
Contact details for Parish Clerk and Council members	Web-site Hard copy- contact Clerk	free 5p/sheet
Location of main Council office and accessibility details	N/A
Staffing structure	N/A

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	Hard copy- contact Clerk	5p/sheet
Finalised budget	Hard copy- contact Clerk	5p/sheet
Precept	Hard copy – contact Clerk	5p
Borrowing Approval letter	N/A
Financial Standing Orders and Regulations	Hard copy- contact Clerk	5p/sheet
Grants given and received	Hard copy- contact Clerk	5p
List of current contracts awarded and value of contract	Hard copy- contact Clerk	5p
Members’ allowances and expenses	Hard copy – contact Clerk	5p

Class 3 – What our priorities are and how we are doing (Strategies and plans, performance indicators, audits, inspections and reviews)
Parish Plan (current and previous year as a minimum)	Web-site Hard copy – contact Clerk	free free
Annual Report to Parish or Community Meeting (current and previous year as a minimum)	Web-site Hard copy-contact Clerk	free free
Quality status	N/A
Local charters drawn up in accordance with DCLG guidelines	Hard copy – contact Clerk	5p/sheet

Class 4 – How we make decisions (Decision making processes and records of decisions) Current and previous council year as a minimum
Timetable of meetings (Council, committee/sub-committee meetings and parish meetings)	Web-site Hard copy- contact Clerk	free 5p/sheet
Agendas of meetings (as above)	Hard copy – contact Clerk	5p/sheet
Minutes of meetings (as above) – nb this will exclude information that is properly regarded as private to the meeting.	Web-site Hard copy – contact Clerk	free 5p/sheet
Reports presented to council meetings – nb this will exclude information that is properly regarded as private to the meeting.	Hard copy – contact Clerk	5p/sheet
Responses to consultation papers	Hard copy – contact Clerk	5p/sheet
Responses to planning applications	Hard copy- contact Clerk	5p/sheet
Bye-laws	N/A

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: Procedural standing orders Committee and sub-committee terms of reference Delegated authority in respect of officers (see Standing Orders) Code of Conduct Policy statements	Hard copy – contact Clerk Hard copy – contact Clerk Hard copy –contact Clerk Hard copy – contact Clerk Hard copy – contact Clerk	5p/sheet 5p/sheet 5p/sheet 5p/sheet 5p/sheet
Policies and procedures for the provision of services and about the employment of staff: Internal policies relating to the delivery of services Health and safety policy Recruitment policies (including current vacancies) Policies and procedures for handling requests for information Complaints procedures (including those covering requests for information and operating the publication scheme)	Hard copy- contact Clerk Hard copy – contact Cler Hard copy – contact Clerk Web-site Hard copy –contact Clerk Hard copy – contact Clerk	5p/sheet 5p/sheet 5p/sheet free 5p/sheet free
Records management policies (records retention, destruction and archive)	Hard copy – contact Clerk	5p/sheet
Data protection policies	Hard copy – contact Clerk	5p/sheet
Schedule of charges (for the publication of information)	Web-site Hard copy – contact Clerk	free free

Class 6 – Lists and Registers Currently maintained lists and registers only
Assets Register	Hard copy – contact Clerk	5p/sheet
Register of members’ interests	Hard copy – contact Clerk Master copy held by CBC	5p/sheet
Register of gifts and hospitality	Master copy held by CBC

Class 7 – The services we offer
Allotments	Hard copy –contact Clerk	5p/sheet
Parks, playing fields and recreational facilities	Hard copy – contact Clerk	5p/sheet
Seating, litter bins, clocks, memorials and lighting	Hard copy – contact Clerk	5p/sheet
Bus shelters	N/A
Markets	N/A
Public conveniences	N/A
Agency agreements	N/A
A summary of services for which the council is entitled to recover a fee, together with those fees (e.g. burial fees)	N/A

Additional Information
Parish Walks Leaflets	Web-site Hard copy- contact Clerk	free free

Contact details:
Clerk to St Bees Parish Council
East House
Coulderton
Egremont
Cumbria
CA22 2UR

Tel: 01946 822560

SCHEDULE OF CHARGES

This describes how the charges have been arrived at and should be published as part of the guide.

TYPE OF CHARGE	DESCRIPTION	BASIS OF CHARGE
Disbursement cost	Photocopying @ 5p per sheet (black & white)	Actual cost

	Postage	Actual cost of Royal Mail standard 2nd class

Statutory Fee		In accordance with the relevant legislation (quote the actual statute)

Other

Parish Council: St. Bees, Cumbria.
Chairman:	Mr Douglas Sim
Vice Chairman:
Parish Clerk	Mrs Jane Donaldson. 01946 822560