Freedom of Information Act

Introduction

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 provides public access to information held by public authorities. It does this in two ways:

  • public authorities are obliged to publish certain information about their activities, and
  • members of the public are entitled to request information from public authorities.

The Act covers any recorded information that is held by a public authority in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and by UK-wide public authorities based in Scotland. Below is a table of documents held by the Parish Council together with associated costs depending on how you wish to obtain those documents.

Table of Parish Council documents

To enable us to contribute to a carbon-neutral footprint, we no longer provide hard copies of documents or photocopies as information is freely available throughout this website.
How the information can be obtainedInformation PublishedCost
Class 1 - Who we are and what we do
Organisational information, structures, locations and contacts

This will be current information only
WebsiteFree
Who’s who on the CouncilWebsite
Free
Contact details for Parish Clerk and Council membersWebsite
Notice Boards
Free
Free
Class 2 - What we spend and how we spend it
Financial information relating to projected and actual income and expenditure, procurement, contracts and financial auditWebsite
AGM		Free
Annual return form and report by external auditorWebsite

Free
Finalised budgetWebsiteFree
PreceptWebsiteFree
Financial Standing Orders and RegulationsWebsiteFree
Grants given and receivedWebsite
Minutes		Free
List of current contracts awarded and value of contractUpon requestFree
Class 3 - What our priorities are and how we are doing
Chairman's Report to Parish MeetingWebsite when published
Free
Class 4 - How we make decisions
Timetable of meetingsWebsite
Free
Minutes of meetings (as above) – NB: this will exclude information that is properly regarded as private to the meetingWebsiteFree
Reports presented to council meetings - NB: this will exclude information that is properly regarded as private to the meetingWebsiteFree
Responses to consultation papersWebsite
Minutes		Free
Responses to planning applicationsWebsite via MinutesFree
Class 5 - Our policies and procedures
Current written protocols, policies and procedures for delivering our services and responsibilities
Current information only
WebsiteFree
Policies and procedures for the conduct of council business:
Procedural standing orders
Committee and sub-committee terms of reference
Delegated authority in respect of officers
Code of Conduct/ Policy statements
WebsiteFree
Policies and procedures for the provision of services and about the employment of staff:
Internal policies relating to the delivery of services
Equality and diversity policy
Health and safety policy
Recruitment policies (including current vacancies)
Policies and procedures for handling requests for information
Complaints procedures (including those covering requests for information and operating the publication scheme)		WebsiteFree
Information security policyWebsiteFree
Records management policies (records retention, destruction and archive)WebsiteFree
Data protection policiesWebsiteFree
Schedule of charges (for the publication of information)WebsiteFree
Class 6 - Lists and Registers
Currently maintained lists and registers onlyHard copy or Website; some information may only be available by inspection
Assets RegisterWebsite
Free
Register of members’ interestsCentral Bedfordshire Council Website - Click here for detailsFree
Register of gifts and hospitalityUpon requestBy email only
Class 7 - The services we offer
Information about the services we offer
Burial grounds and closed churchyardCemetery section on the Website
Parks, playing fields and recreational facilitiesUpon requestBy email only
Seating, litter bins, bus sheltersUpon RequestBy email only
A summary of services for which the council is entitled to recover a fee, together with those fees (e.g. burial fees)Cemetery section on the Website
Schedule of Charges
This section describes how the charges have been arrived at
Type of ChargeDescriptionBasis of Charge
Statutory FeeVariableIn accordance with the relevant legislation.
Other
* the actual cost incurred by the public authority
Last updated - 16th April 2024Next review due May 2025