Version Number – V2 18.12.08
Publication Scheme
Congleton Town Council, as the first tier of local government for the Town, has a range of powers and provides a growing number of local services. It believes in openness and working closely with all of its communities of place and interest. It is also determined to involve as many of its citizens as possible in its decision making processes. It has based this, it’s Publication Scheme on the statutory Model Publication Scheme for local councils and hopes it will help to develop a greater culture of transparency, awareness and understanding. It will be supplemented with an Information Guide which will give greater detail of what the Council will make available and hopefully make it easier for people to access it.
The purpose of the scheme is to be a means by which the Council can make a significant amount of information available routinely, without waiting for someone to specifically request it. The scheme is intended to encourage local people to take an interest in the work of the Council and its role within the community.
In accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, this Scheme specifies the classes of information which the Council publishes or intends to publish.
Model Publication Scheme
This model publication scheme has been prepared and approved by the Information Commissioner. It may be adopted without modification by any public authority without further approval and will be valid until further notice.
This publication scheme commits an authority 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.
Classes of Information:
Who we are and what we do. 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:
The method by which information published under this scheme will be made available The authority 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 disbursements incurred such as:
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.
