This publication scheme commits the 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 Council.
The policy was last updated in April 2015.
Introduction
This publication scheme commits the 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 Council.
Additional assistance is provided to the definition of these classes in sector specific guidance manuals issued by the Information Commissioner.
The scheme commits the 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.
- specify the information that is held by the Council and falls within the classifications below.
- proactively publish or otherwise make available as a matter of routine, information in line with the statements contained within this scheme.
- 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.
- review and update on a regular basis the information the Council makes available under this scheme.
- produce a schedule of any fees charged for access to information which is made proactively available.
- make this publication scheme available to the public.
Classes of Information
Class One – Who we are and what we do: Organisational information, locations and contacts, constitutional and legal governance.
Class Two – What we spend and how we spend it: Financial information relating to projected and actual income/expenditure, tendering, procurement and contracts.
Class Three – What our priorities are and how we are doing: Strategy and performance information, plans, assessments, inspections and reviews.
Class Four – How we make decisions: Policy proposals and decisions. Decision making processes, internal criteria and procedures, consultations.
Class Five – Our policies and procedures: Current written protocols for delivering our functions and responsibilities.
Class Six – Lists and Registers: Information held in registers required by law and other lists and registers relating to the functions of the authority.
Class Seven – 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 release 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.
Method of Publication
The 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 the Council, information will be provided on its 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
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:
- photocopying
- postage and packaging
- 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.
Contact Details
If you require a paper version of any information, or want to ask whether information is available please contact the Council by telephone, email or letter. Contact details are set out below. Alternatively you can visit our website www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk
Email: townclerk@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk
Tel: 01565 653929
Contact Address
Knutsford Town Council
Council Offices
Toft Road
Knutsford
WA16 6TA
To help us to process requests quickly, please mark your correspondence “Publication Scheme Request”.
If the information you’re looking for isn’t available via the scheme [and isn’t on our website], you can still contact Knutsford Town Council to ask if we have it.
Annex A – Published Information |
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| Information to be Published | How Information can be obtained | Cost
(hard copy only) |
| Class 1 – Who we are and what we do
(Organisational information, structures, locations and contacts) |
||
| Who’s who on the Council and its Committees | Hard copy / electronic / online | Nil |
| Contact details for Town Clerk and Council members | Hard copy / electronic / online | Nil |
| Location of main Council office and accessibility/contact details | Hard copy / electronic / online | Nil |
| Staffing structure | Hard copy / electronic / online | Nil |
| 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) |
||
| Annual return form and report by auditor | Hard copy / electronic / online | Nil |
| Finalised budget | Hard copy / electronic / online | Nil |
| Precept | Hard copy / electronic / online | Nil |
| Standing Orders and Financial Regulations | Hard copy / electronic / online | £5 each |
| Grants given and received | Hard copy / electronic / online | Nil |
| List of current contracts awarded and value of contract | Hard Copy. | Nil |
| Members’ allowances and expenses | Hard copy / electronic
|
Nil |
| Class 3 – What our priorities are and how we are doing (Strategies and plans, performance indicators, audits, inspections and reviews) |
||
| Annual Town Meeting Report (current and previous year as a minimum) | Hard copy / electronic / online | Nil |
| Local Council Award Scheme Status | Hard copy / electronic / online | |
| 2020 Vision | Hard copy / electronic / online | |
| Class 4 – How we make decisions (Decision making processes and records of decisions) Current and previous council year as a minimum |
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| Timetable of meetings (Council, any committee/sub-committee meetings and Town meetings) |
Hard copy / electronic / online | Nil |
| Agendas of meetings | Hard Copy / available online (until meeting held) / electronic.
Published on Town Council noticeboard 3 clear days prior to meeting. |
Nil |
| Minutes of meetings | Hard copy / electronic / online | Nil |
| Reports presented to council meetings NB this will exclude information that is properly regarded as private to the meeting. |
Hard Copy / available online (certain reports) / electronic. | Nil |
| Responses to consultation papers | Hard copy / electronic | Nil |
| Responses to planning applications | Hard copy / electronic / available as part of Planning Committee minutes online.
All comments can be viewed at planning.cheshireeast.gov.uk |
Nil |
| Class 5 – Our policies and procedures (Current written protocols, policies and procedures for delivering our services and responsibilities) Current information only |
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| All adopted policies not solely relating to employment of staff
All adopted policies relating solely to the employment of staff Schedule of adopted Policies |
Hard copy / electronic / online
Hard copy / electronic Hard copy / electronic / online |
|
| Schedule of charges (for the publication of information) | n/a | |
| Class 6 – Lists and Registers Currently maintained lists and registers only |
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| Assets Register | Hard copy / electronic / online | Nil |
| Register of members’ interests | Hard copy / electronic / online | Nil |
| Register of gifts and hospitality | Hard copy / inspection | Nil |
| Class 7 – Services we offer (Information about the services we offer, including leaflets, guidance and newsletters produced for the public and businesses) Current information only |
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| Allotments | Hard copy / electronic / online | |
| Burial grounds and closed churchyards | Hard copy / electronic / online | |
| Parks, playing fields and recreational facilities | Hard copy / electronic / online | |
| Seating, litter bins, clocks, memorials and lighting | Hard copy / electronic / | |
| Markets | Hard copy / electronic / online | |
| Public conveniences | Hard copy / electronic / online | |
| Summary of services for which the council is entitled to recover a fee, together with those fees (e.g. burial fees) | Hard copy / electronic | |