Local Government Transparency
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities issued the Local Government Transparency Code 2015 (the Code) which came into effect on 1st April 2015. The Code was issued through powers under Section 2 of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 and replaces any previous codes issued in relation to local authorities in England under those powers. The aim of the Code, which can be found here, is to increase transparency through publication of open and reusable data enabling taxpayers to see how local authorities are using public money.
The Code does not replace, or supersede, the existing framework for access to public sector information provided by the:- ·
Freedom of Information Act 2020 (as amended by the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012)
Environmental Information Regulations 2004
Re-Use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2005
Infrastructure for Spatial Information in the European Community Regulations 2009
Sections 25 and 26 of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 which provides the rights for persons to inspect a local authority’s accounting records and supporting documentation, and to make copies of them.
The Code applies to Town and Parish Councils which a gross income or expenditure in excess of £200,000
Shavington cum Gresty Parish Council provides some information below but also elsewhere on this website.
Information which needs to be published
Under the below headers, information and data will be published at least yearly by the Parish Council. Under the Data Protection Act 2018, personal data will be redacted if it can identify an individual.
Where contracts are awarded through a tender process and the value exceeds £50,000, the data will be published upon project delivery.
Expenditure
The Council publishes all expenditure, including supplier and transaction information.
The Council’s expenditure for each financial year can be found below.
All expenditure is reported to Full Council at each ordinary meeting which are approximately monthly. The schedule for all meetings can be found here and Agendas can also be viewed the noticeboard outside the Shavington-cum-Gresty Village Hall.
A summary overview of the Council’s income and expenditure as a whole can be found below:-
Employees
The Code requires local authorities to publish details (including job descriptions, responsibilities and staff numbers) of any senior employees earning over £50,000 per annum. None of Shavington-cum- Gresty Parish Council employee earns over this amount.
Shavington-cum-Gresty Parish Council’s pay multiple as at 1 April 2023 is 1.09 (FTE)
The Councils staff structure can be found below
There are no trade unions recognised at the Parish Council.
Councillor’s Allowances and Expenses
Shavington-cum-Gresty Parish Council does not pay Councillors Allowances.
Contracts and Tenders
Copies of contracts to businesses and to the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector worth more than £5,000 can be found on the schedule of payments.
Tenders will be published here
Public Land, Property and Car Parking owned by the Council
In order to ensure transparency and reasonableness, the following items are included on the Council’s Asset Register whether they have been gifted, purchased or otherwise acquired by the Parish Council together with their location.
These may include:-
· Land and buildings held freehold or on a long term lease
· Community assets
· Vehicles, plant and machinery
· Assets considered to be portable, attractive or of community significance
· Long term investments, share and loans
The Parish Council owns the following land and property:-
· Shavington-cum-Gresty Village Hall, Main Road, Shavington, Crewe, CW2 5DP
· Allotment, Gresty Lane, Shavington, Crewe, CW2 5DD
· Shavington-cum-Gresty War Memorial, Shavington, Crewe, Cw2 5DP
· BT kiosk, Crewe Road, Shavington, Crewe, CW2 5AF
Policies and Governance Documents
The Parish Councils policies and governance documents can be found here.
Risk Management Scheme
The Parish Council’s Risk Management Scheme can be found below:
Internal and External Auditor
In accordance with the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015, Councils are required to have an annual and mid-year internal audit. The Internal Auditor is appointed by Council who evaluate and review the Councils risk management, controls and governance. The Councils current Internal Auditor is JDH Business Services. A copy of the latest Internal Audit Report can be found below:
Annual Return and Annual Governance and Accountability Returns
The Annual Return and Annual Governance Accountability Return must be submitted by the Council to the government appointed External Auditor each year. The current nationally appointed External Auditor is PKF Littlejohn LLP.
Copies of these can be found below:-
Parish Council Budget
A copy of the Parish Council’s budget will be published annually. Shavington-cum-Gresty Parish Council is funded through the precept, which is collected along with your council tax.
Action Plan
A copy of the Parish Council’s Action Plan can be found here
Council and Committee Minutes
All Council and Committee minutes can be found here