Helmdon publication scheme (August 2006)

Helmdon Parish Council
Publication Scheme under the Freedom of Information Act 2000
The purpose of this publication scheme is to show what classes of Council information are available routinely. Council approved the scheme at their meeting of 27th November 2002.
In some cases a class of information sets out a range of information that is excluded from publication. Where that is the case the reasons behind the decision to exclude are clearly stated. Excluded throughout this 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.
Charges may be raised for the provision of copies of the documents/information listed in each of the classes.
CORE CLASSES OF INFORMATION
1) COUNCIL INTERNAL PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
Information Format in which it is available
Charge for supply
(yes/no)
Minutes of council, committee and sub-
committee meetings (limited to the last 2
years).
Website No
By appointment with Clerk Yes
Procedural Standing Orders By appointment with Clerk Yes
Website No
By appointment with Clerk Yes
Council's Annual Report to Parish Meeting
2) CODE OF CONDUCT
Information Format in which it is available
Charge for supply
(yes/no)
Members Declaration of Acceptance of
Office
By appointment with Clerk Yes
Members Register of Interests
Held by South Northamptonshire
Council
–
Declaration of Member's Interests
Contained within minutes, see
Item 1 above
See Item 1

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 Format in which it is available
Charge for supply
(yes/no)
Information relating to the last
Periodic Electoral Review of the council area
Held by South Northamptonshire Council –
Information relating to the latest boundary review of the council area
Held by South Northamptonshire Council –
4) EMPLOYMENT PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
Information Format in which it is available
Charge for supply
(yes/no)
Terms & conditions of employment
By appointment with Clerk Yes
Job descriptions By appointment with Clerk Yes
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
Information Format in which it is available
Charge for supply
(yes/no)
Responses to planning applications
Contained within minutes, see Item 1
above
See Item 1
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
Information
Annual return form limited to the last financial year
Format in which it is available
By appointment with Clerk
Charge for supply
(yes/no)
Yes

Annual Statutory report by auditor
(internal and external) limited to By appointment with Clerk the last financial year
Yes
Receipt/Payment books, Receipt books of all kinds, Bank
Statements from all accounts limited to the last financial year
Yes By appointment with Clerk
Precept request limited to the last Contained within minutes, see Item 1
financial year above
See Item 1
VAT records limited to the last financial year
By appointment with Clerk
Financial Standing Orders and
Regulations
Contained within Procedural Standing
Orders, see Item 1 above
Assets register Contained within Annual Accounts Yes
Risk Assessments By appointment with Clerk Yes
Yes
See Item 1
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.
CHARGES
1) Information obtained by appointment with the Clerk: –
Simple search
£1 search fee per item, plus 50p. per page copy fee and (where applicable) postage.
Detailed search (eg. multiple extracts from Council minutes)
£5 search fee per search, plus 50p. per page copy fee and (where applicable) postage.
2) Information available from National Park, Borough or County Councils: –
Charged by them at their respective rates.
3) Information available from the Helmdon website: Free.
CONTACT DETAILS
Helmdon Parish Council
Mrs Liz Hart, Clerk to Helmdon Parish Council, [address removed] tel: [phone number removed] parishcouncil@helmdon.com