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

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.

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: Chairman of the council, Chairmen of committees of the Council

Council Structure: confirming existence & purpose of committees & sub-committees of the Council

Locations and Contact Details

Staff Contact Details

Class Two - What the council spends and how it spends it:

Annual Accountability and Governance Return (AGAR)

Loans Sanctioned - Not Applicable

Internal Audit Reports

Annual Budget & Precept

Financial Regulations

Councillor Allowances

Standing Orders

Expenditure Exceeding £500

Invitation to Tender

Class Three - The council’s priorities and its progress:

Town Strategic Plan

Class Four - How the council makes decisions:

Meetings & Agenda

Minutes of Council and Council Sub-Committee Meetings

Responses to Planning Applications-See Individual Planning & Transport Committee Minutes

Procedural Standing Orders

Councillors' Register of Interests

Class Five - The council’s policies and procedures

Council Policies & Procedures

Class Six - Lists and Registers: Any publicly available register or list

Land Owned

Class Seven - The Council’s service

Allotments

Parks and Open Spaces

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-Reported Quarterly to the Policy & Resources Committee

Procurement Information-Invitation to Tender for goods/service contracts value exceeding £5,000

Information to be published annually

Local Authority Land Register

Controlled Parking Spaces - Not Applicable

Data Protection Policy (Privacy Policy)

Grants Awarded

Senior Salaries

Website Privacy Policy (Privacy Policy)

Organisational Structure

Constitution - Not Applicable

Parking Revenue - Not Applicable

Waste Contract - Not Applicable

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.