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Transparency

The Local Government Transparency Code 2015 (the code) came in to effect on 1 April 2015. The code is issued by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government in exercise of powers under section 2 of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980, and replaces an previous codes issued in relation to authorities in England under those powers. Click here for full details of the Local Government Transparency Code 2015

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Witham Town Council meets the definition of a local authority covered by the requirements of the code. The code requires local authorities in England to publish the following information to ensure local people can see and access data covering; how money is spent, use of assets, decision making and issues important to local people.

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There are seven classes of information which must be made available to the public:

Class One

Who makes up the council and their roles

  • Names of councillors, roles e.g. Chairman of the council, Chairmen of committees of the Council: View here

  • Council Structure i.e. confirming existence and purpose of committees and sub-committees of the Council: View here

  • Locations and contact details: View here

  • Staff contact details: View here

  • Class Two

    What the council spends and how it spends it:

  • Annual Accountability and Governance Return (AGAR): View here

  • Annual Budget and Precept: View here

  • Councillor Allowances – View here

  • Expenditure exceeding £500: View here

  • Loans sanctioned – Not applicable

  • Financial Regulations: View here and Standing Orders: View here

  • Invitation to Tender: View here

  • Internal Audit Reports: View here

  • Class Three

    The council’s priorities and its progress:

  • Town Strategic Plan Adopted 2018: View here

  • Class Four

    How the council makes decisions:

  • Meetings & Agendas: View here

  • Responses to planning applications – see individual Planning & Transport Committee meeting minutes: View here

  • Procedural Standing Orders: View here

  • Councillors’ Register of Interests: View here

  • Minutes of council and council sub-committee meetings: View here

  • Class Five

    The council’s policies and procedures: View here

    Class Six

    Lists and Registers:

    Any publicly available register or list:​

     

    Class Seven

    The Council’s service

    Information about the services concerning, for example:

     

    The seven classes of information above, do not include:

    •  Information that the council is prevented from disclosing by law

    •  Information exempt under the Freedom of Information Act 2000

    •  Information in draft form

     

    If a council does not hold the type of information in one of the classes, it will not be in breach of any statutory obligations under the 2000 Act.

     

    Ensuring that the public can access the information via the council’s Publication Scheme is vital. A council’s publication scheme must confirm how much the information in the seven classes can be accessed and if there is a charge.

     

    Part 2 of the Code is recommended practice for parish councils whose gross annual income or expenditure (whichever is the higher) does not exceed £6.5 million.

     

    Information to be published quarterly:

    Government Procurement Card transactions – Not Applicable

     

    Card Transactions – All card transactions are reported on a quarterly basis to the Policy and Resources Committee – View Agendas and Minutes here.

     

    Procurement Information – invitation to tender for contracts to provide goods and/or services with a value that exceeds £5,000 – View here

     

    Information to be published Annually:

    Local Authority Land Register – See Section 6 above

     

    Grants Awarded: View here

     

    Organisational Structure: View here

     

    Trade Union facility time – Not applicable

     

    Parking Revenues – Not applicable

     

    Controlled Parking spaces – Not applicable

     

    Constitution – View here

     

    Waste Contracts – Not applicable

     

    Data Protection Policy: View here

     

    Website Privacy Statement: View here

     

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    Witham Town Council complies with the requirements of the code by publishing the information on its website. Hard copies are available from the Town Council office in line with the Council’s Publication Scheme.

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