Freedom of Information

Publication Scheme

This publication scheme has been prepared and approved by the Information Commissioner. It may be adopted without modification by any public authority without further approval. It will be valid until further notice.

The scheme commits Madeley Parish Council to make information available to the public as part of its normal business activities. The information covered is included in the classes of information mentioned below, where this information is held by the authority. Additional assistance is provided to the definition of these classes in sector specific guidance manuals issued by the Information Commissioner.

The scheme commits Madeley Parish Council:

To proactively publish or otherwise make available as a matter of routine, information, including environmental information, which is held by the authority and falls within the classifications below.
To specify the information which is held by the authority and falls within the classifications below.
To proactively publish or otherwise make available as a matter of routine, information in line with the statements contained within this scheme.
To produce and publish the methods by which the specific information is made routinely available so that it can be easily identified and accessed by members of the public.
To review and update on a regular basis the information the authority makes available under this scheme.
To produce a schedule of any fees charged for access to information which is made proactively available.
To make this publication scheme available to the public.

Classes of Information

Organisational information, locations and contacts, constitutional and legal governance.

What we spend and how we spend it

Financial information relating to projected and actual income and expenditure, tendering, procurement and contracts.

What our priorities are and how we are doing

Strategy and performance information, plans, assessments, inspections and reviews.

How we make decisions

Policy proposals and decisions. Decision making processes, internal criteria and procedures, consultations.

Our policies and procedures

Current written protocols for delivering our functions and responsibilities.

Lists and Registers

Information held in registers required by law and other lists and registers relating to the functions of the authority.

The Services we Offer

Advice and guidance, booklets and leaflets, transactions and media releases. A description of the services offered.

The classes of information will not generally include:

Information the disclosure of which is prevented by law, or exempt under the Freedom of Information Act, or is otherwise properly considered to be protected from disclosure.
Information in draft form.
Information that is no longer readily available as it is contained in files that have been placed in archive storage, or is difficult to access for similar reasons.

The method by which information published under this scheme will be made available

Madeley Parish Council will indicate clearly to the public what information is covered by this scheme and how it can be obtained.

Where it is within the capability of a public authority, information will be provided on a website. Where it is impracticable to make information available on a website or when an individual does not wish to access the information by the website, a public authority will indicate how information can be obtained by other means and provide it by those means.

In exceptional circumstances some information may be available only by viewing in person. Where this manner is specified, contact details will be provided. An appointment to view the information will be arranged within a reasonable timescale.

Information will be provided in the language in which it is held or in such other language that is legally required. Where an authority is legally required to translate any information, it will do so.

Obligations under disability and discrimination legislation and any other legislation to provide information in other forms and formats will be adhered to when providing information in accordance with this scheme.

Charges which may be made for Information published under this scheme

The purpose of this scheme is to make the maximum amount of information readily available at minimum inconvenience and cost to the public. Charges made by the authority for routinely published material will be justified and transparent and kept to a minimum.

Material which is published and accessed on a website will be provided free of charge.

Charges may be made for information subject to a charging regime specified by Parliament.

Charges may be made for actual costs incurred such as:

Photocopying.
Postage and packaging.
The costs directly incurred as a result of viewing information.

Charges may also be made for information provided under this scheme where they are legally authorised, they are in all the circumstances, including the general principles of the right of access to information held by public authorities, justified and are in accordance with a published schedule or schedules of fees which is readily available to the public.

If a charge is to be made, confirmation of the payment due will be given before the information is provided. Payment may be requested prior to provision of the information.

Written Requests

Information held by a public authority that is not published under this scheme can be requested in writing, when its provision will be considered in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.

Service

Madeley Parish Council aims to ensure that you receive a high quality and efficient service. This publication scheme embodies the standards we are working towards.

Our service commitment:

We will ensure that we answer 90% of all telephone calls within five rings.
We will ensure that when necessary we put calls through to the right place first time.
We will return phone messages within 1 working day.
We will acknowledge e-mails within 24 hours.
We will ensure that when you visit the Parish offices you will be seen by a receptionist within 10 minutes of arriving.
We will ensure that the first person you deal with either answers your enquiry or passes you on to the right person
We will respond to complaints within five working days or, where this is not possible, within 20 working days.
We will respond to Freedom of Information requests within 20 working days.
We will respond to Data Protection request within 40 calendar days.

Information available from Madeley Parish Council under the model publication scheme

Information to be published, and how the information can be obtained.

Class1 - Who we are and what we do

(Organisational information, structures, locations and contacts). This will be current information only.

Who's who on the Council and its Committees
(Hard copy, e-mail and website)
Contact details for Parish Clerk and Council members (named contacts where possible with telephone number. e-mail address (subject to disclosure agreement)
(Hard copy, e-mail and website)
Location of main Council office and accessibility details
(Hard copy, e-mail and website)
Staffing structure
(Hard copy, e-mail and website)

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)
Finalised budget
(Hard copy and e-mail)
Precept
(Hard copy and e-mail)
Borrowing Approval letter
(Not Applicable)
Financial Standing Orders and Regulations
(Hard copy and e-mail)
Grants given and received
(Hard copy, e-mail and website)
List of current contracts awarded and value of contract
(Hard copy and e-mail)
Members' allowances and expenses
(Hard copy, e-mail and website)

Class 3 - What our priorities are and how we are doing

(Strategies and plans, performance indicators, audits, inspections and reviews)

Parish Plan (current and previous year as a minimum)
(Not Applicable)
Annual Report to Parish Meeting (current and previous year as a minimum)
(Not Applicable)
Quality status
(Not Applicable)
Local charters drawn up in accordance with DCLG guidelines
(Hard copy and e-mail)

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)
(Hard copy, e-mail and website)
Agendas of meetings (as above)
(Hard copy, e-mail and website)
Minutes of meetings (as above) Note: this will exclude information that is properly regarded as private to the meeting.
(Hard copy, e-mail and website)
Reports presented to council meetings - Note: this will exclude information that is properly regarded as private to the meeting.
(Hard copy, e-mail and website)
Responses to consultation papers
(Hard copy and e-mail)
Responses to planning applications
(Hard copy and e-mail)
Bye-laws
(Not Applicable)

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 and e-mail)
Committee and sub-committee terms of reference
(Hard copy and e-mail)
Delegated authority in respect of officers
(Hard copy and e-mail)
Code of Conduct
(Hard copy and e-mail)
Policy statements
(Hard copy and e-mail)

Policies and procedures for the provision of services and about the employment of staff:

Internal policies relating to the delivery of services
(Not Applicable)
Equality and diversity policy
(Hard copy and e-mail)
Health and safety policy
(Hard copy and e-mail)
Recruitment policies (including current vacancies)
(Hard copy and e-mail)
Policies and procedures for handling requests for information
(Not Applicable)
Complaints procedures (including those covering requests for information and operating the publication scheme)
(Hard copy and e-mail)
Information security policy
(Not Applicable)
Records management policies (records retention, destruction and archive)
(Not Applicable)
Data protection policies
(Hard copy and e-mail)
Schedule of charges (for the publication of information)
(Not Applicable)

Class 6 - Lists and Registers

Currently maintained lists and registers only.

Any publicly available register or list - if any are held this should be publicised; in most circumstances existing access provisions will suffice
(Hard copy) - some information may only be available by inspection
Assets Register
(Hard copy and e-mail)
Disclosure log - indicating the information that has been provided in response to requests; recommended as good practice, but may not be held by parish councils
(Not Applicable)
Register of members' interests
(Hard copy) - some information may only be available by inspection
Register of gifts and hospitality
(Hard copy)

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 and e-mail)
Burial grounds and closed churchyards
(Not Applicable)
Community Centres and village halls
(Hard copy and e-mail)
Parks, playing fields and recreational facilities
(Not Applicable)
Seating, litter bins, clocks, memorials and lighting
(Not Applicable)
Bus shelters
(Not Applicable)
Markets
(Not Applicable)
Public conveniences
(Hard copy and e-mail)
Agency agreements
(Not Applicable)