Leicestershire Parish Councils

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000

Burbage Parish Council has adopted the Parish Council model scheme which has been approved by the Information Commissioner for a period from February 28th 2003 to December 2008.

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 pro-actively and to develop a greater culture of openness and transparency.

In accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 the scheme specifies the classes of information as detailed below. Excluded throughout the 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.

The information contained in each class is available by inspection at the Council offices which are open Monday to Friday between 9am and 12 noon. Telephone 01455 637533. Any requests for information will be responded to within 20 days.

Class 1: Council internal practice and procedure
Minutes of council meetings limited to the last two years
Procedural standing orders
Councils Annual report to the Parish Meeting

Class 2: Code of Conduct
Members Declarations of Acceptance of Office
Members Registers of Interests
Register of Members interest book

Class 3: Periodic Electoral Review
Information relating to the last Periodic Electoral Review of the Council Area
Information relating to the latest boundary review of the Council Area

Class 4: Employment Practice and Procedure
Terms and Conditions of employment
Job Descriptions

Class 5: Planning Documents
Responses to planning applications

Class 6: Audit and Accounts
Annual Return Form limited to the last financial year
Annual statutory report by Auditor (internal and external) -limited to last financial year.
Receipt/Payment books, receipt books of all kinds, Bank statement of all accounts limited to last financial year
Precept Request limited to last financial year
VAT records
Financial Standing Orders and Regulations
Assets Register this will include details of commons/village greens owned by the council including the management schemes for commons as well as village halls, community centres and recreation grounds.
Risk Assessments

Exclusions: all commercially sensitive information eg quotations and tenders, loan documentation and insurance policies.