Publication Scheme

Information for Parishioners

Background

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 received Royal Assent on 30^th November 2000.

The Act defines the public authorities that are covered by the Act and which are required to adopt and maintain a publication scheme. Paragraph 7, Part II of schedule 1 of the Freedom of Information Act defined a local council, within the meaning of the Local Government Act 1972, as a public authority.

What is a Publications Scheme? Under the Freedom of Information Act, every public authority is required to adopt and maintain a Publication Scheme that provides the public with a structured listing of any information available, with an undertaking and commitment to make it available to all. The Scheme must set out how the Parish Council intends to charge for copies of the information.

Mapledurwell & Up Nately Council’s Publication Scheme defines the information held by the Parish Council and which information is available to members of the public. The Parish Council strives to be as open as possible with local government information and the work it does and the Publication Scheme indicates the format in which the information is available, its approximate length and the charges for copies.

Confidentiality: although Mapledurwell & Up Nately Council’s policy is to be as open as possible and supply information requested, it may withhold any information if it considers the release of the information would not be in the public interest and could cause significant harm. Any confidential and sensitive information is exempt from the publication scheme.

Requests for information: should be sent in writing to the Clerk. Applicants have the right to be told whether the information is held by the Parish Council and, if so, to receive the information as a copy or summary, unless it is considered not to be in the public interest to release the information. The Parish Council will respond to all requests within 20 days.

Information available from Mapledurwell & Up Nately Parish Council
under the Model Publication Scheme
adopted 8 December 2008

Information to be published	How it can be obtained	Cost
Class1 - Who we are and what we do (Organisational information, structures, locations and contacts) This will be current information only	Hard copy and/or website
Who’s who on the Council and its Committees	Website & Welcome Pack	Free
Contact details for Parish Clerk and Council members (named contacts where possible with telephone number and email address (if used))	Website Villager Welcome Pack	Free
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	20p/sheet+ Postage
Finalised budget	Website Hard copy	Free 20p/sheet + Postage
Precept	Hard copy	20p/sheet + Postage
Financial Standing Orders and Regulations	Hard copy	20p/sheet + Postage
Grants given and received	Hard copy	20p/sheet + Postage
Class 3 – What our priorities are and how we are doing (Strategies and plans, performance indicators, audits, inspections and reviews)
Annual Report to Parish or Community Meeting (current and previous year as a minimum)	Website Hard copy	Free 20p/sheet+ Postage
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, any committee/sub-committee meetings and parish meetings)	Website Hard copy	Free 20p/sheet + Postage
Agendas of meetings (as above)	Website Hard copy	Free 20p/sheet + Postage
Minutes of meetings (as above) – nb this will exclude information that is properly regarded as private to the meeting.	Website Hard copy	Free 20p/sheet + Postage
Reports presented to council meetings - nb this will exclude information that is properly regarded as private to the meeting.	Website Hard copy	Free 20p/sheet + Postage
Responses to consultation papers
Responses to planning applications	Hard copy	20p/sheet+ Postage
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	Hard Copy	20p/sheet + Postage
Code of Conduct	Hard Copy	20p/sheet + Postage
Policies and procedures for the provision of services and about the employment of staff: Internal policies relating to the delivery of services Equality and diversity policy 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)
Schedule of charges (for the publication of information)
Class 6 – Lists and Registers Currently maintained lists and registers only	(hard copy or website; some information may only be available by inspection)
Assets Register	Hard copy	20p/sheet + Postage
Register of members’ interests	Hard copy	20p/sheet + Postage
Register of gifts and hospitality
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	Hard copy	20p/sheet+ Postage
Community centres and village halls	Village Hall Committee
Parks, playing fields and recreational facilities
Seating, litter/dog bins
Bus shelters
Additional Information: Please note we can only send the information we hold
Requests for information: These should be sent in writing to the Clerk. Any confidential and sensitive information is exempt from this scheme. The Parish Council will respond to all requests within 20 days

Contact details:
Clerk
Susan Lefley
Swannhill Nurseries
Greywell Road
Mapledurwell
Basingstoke
Hampshire RG24 7NH
mapleclerk@btinternet.com
(01256) 464923

SCHEDULE OF CHARGES

Type of Charge	Description	Basis of Charge
Disbursement cost	Photocopying @ 20p per sheet (black & white)	Actual cost *
	Photocopying @ 50p per sheet (colour)	Actual cost
	Postage	Actual cost of Royal Mail standard 2^nd class
Statutory Fee		In accordance with the relevant legislation.
Other

* the actual cost incurred by the public authority

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