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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:Â View here
Council Structure i.e. confirming existence and purpose of committees and sub-committees of the Council:Â View here
Locations and contact details:Â View here
Staff contact details:Â View here
Class Two
What the council spends and how it spends it:
Annual Accountability and Governance Return (AGAR):Â View here
Annual Budget and Precept:Â View here
Councillor Allowances – View here
Expenditure exceeding £500: View here
Loans sanctioned – Not applicable
Financial Regulations:Â View here and Standing Orders:Â View here
Invitation to Tender: View here
Internal Audit Reports:Â View here
Class Three
The council’s priorities and its progress:
Town Strategic Plan Adopted 2018:Â View here
Class Four
How the council makes decisions:
Meetings & Agendas:Â View here
Responses to planning applications – see individual Planning & Transport Committee meeting minutes: View here
Procedural Standing Orders:Â View here
Councillors’ Register of Interests: View here
Minutes of council and council sub-committee meetings:Â View here
Class Five
The council’s policies and procedures: View here
The seven classes of information above, do not include:
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Information that the council is prevented from disclosing by law
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Information exempt under the Freedom of Information Act 2000
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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.