Freedom of Information

Information available from Collingbourne Ducis Parish Council under the Freedom of Information Act model publication scheme

The Freedom of Information Act (FOI), passed on 30 November 2000, created a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by English, Welsh and Northern Irish public authorities. It also sets out exemptions from that right and places a number of obligations on public authorities.

The FOI Act is intended to promote a culture of openness and accountability amongst public authorities and to facilitate better public understanding of how public authorities carry out their duties, why they make the decisions they do and how they spend public money.

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, all public authorities are required to adopt and maintain a publication scheme. The publication scheme helps to promote greater openness and accountability across the public sector.

In line with section 20 of the FOI Act, the Information Commissioner approved a new model publication scheme which all public authorities have been required to adopt and was effective from 1 January 2009.

Information Classes

  • Details of our organisational structure, key roles and responsibilities can be found on our website on the Our Parish Council page.

    A list of council members and their responsibilities, as well a list of Council Committees can be found on our website on the Councillors page, along with details of representation on local bodies.

    Our parish council postal address is:

    Mr P Gill MBE JP

    10 Foxtail Gardens,

    Ludgershall,

    SP11 9TB

    Contact details for the Parish Clerk and Council members can be found on our website on the Councillors page and the Get in touch page.

    The only staff member is the Parish Clerk.

  • Financial information relating to projected and actual income and expenditure, procurement, contracts and financial audit for the current and previous financial years to 2014 can be found on our website on the Council finances page.

    The following documents are available through various forms:

    • annual return form and report by auditor

      • on our website on the Council finances page

      • published annually on the community notice board

      • available in hard copy from Clerk at a cost of 0.20p per page

    • finalised budget

      • published in Meeting Minutes on the website

      • available in hard copy from Clerk at a cost of 0.20p per page

    • precept

      • published in Meeting Minutes on the website

      • available in hard copy from Clerk at a cost of 0.20p per page

    • borrowing approval letter

      • n/a

    • Financial Standing Orders and Regulations (includes Grant making policy)

      • on our website on the Governance page

      • available in hard copy from Clerk at a cost of 0.20p per page

    • grants given and received

      • published in Meeting Minutes on the website

      • shown on electronic accounting system printouts

      • available in hard copy from Clerk at a cost of 0.20p per page

    • list of current contracts awarded and value of contract

      • Litter Picking Contract published in Meeting Minutes on the website

      • Grass Cutting Contract published in Meeting Minutes on the website

    • Members’ allowances and expenses

      • published in Meeting Minutes on the website

      • appear as items agenda for report/authorisation

      • available in hard copy from Clerk at a cost of 0.20p per page

  • The following are available through various forms:

    • Parish plan

      • previous year plans can be found in meeting minutes and the annual report

    • Annual Report to Parish Meeting

      • the Chairman presents a report to the Annual Parish meeting as does the Responsible Financial Officer

      • published in Meeting Minutes on the website

      • published annually on the community notice board

      • available in hard copy from Clerk at a cost of 0.20p per page

    • Quality status

      • n/a

    • Local charters drawn up in accordance with DCLG guidelines

      • n/a

  • The full council routinely meets in the Village Hall every month except August. The Committees meet as and when required.

    • upcoming dates are published on the website homepage and

    • planned dates are available in hard copy from Clerk for free

    Agendas are issued a minimum of three clear days before a meeting:

    • posted on the community notice board

    • published on the website on the Meeting Agenda page

    • stored electronically

    • available in hard copy from Clerk for free

    Draft minutes from every meeting are:

    • posted on the community notice board within seven working days of the meeting for a minimum of five working days with confirmed minutes filed in both hard copy and electronically

    • published on the website on the Meeting Minutes page

    • available in hard copy from Clerk at a cost of 0.20p per page

    All reports presented to council meetings are:

    • included in the meeting minutes

    • posted on the community notice board with draft minutes

    • stored in hard copy and electronically

    • available in hard copy from Clerk at a cost of 0.20p per page

    Responses to consultation papers are:

    • recorded in meeting minutes

    • available in hard copy from Clerk at a cost of 0.20p per page

    Responses to planning applications are

    • recorded in meeting minutes

    • available in hard copy from Clerk at a cost of 0.20p per page

    The Recreation ground Bye-laws and conditions of use are

    • published on the website on the Recreation Ground page

    • available in hard copy from Clerk at a cost of 0.20p per page

  • All of the following policies and procedures for the conduct of council business are displayed on our website on the Governance page and available in hard copy from the Clerk at a cost of 0.20p per page:

    • standing orders

    • committee and subcommittee terms of reference (as part of Standing Orders)

    • delegated authority in respect of officers

    • Code of Conduct

    • Policies and procedures for handling requests for information

    • Complaints procedures

    • Grants award policy

    • Financial regulations

    • Accessibility statement

    All of the following policies and procedures for the conduct of council business as indicated are in development:

    • Equality and diversity policy

    • Health and safety policy

    • GDPR and information security

    When completed, they will be displayed on our website on the Governance page and available in hard copy from the Clerk at a cost of 0.20p per page.

  • The following documents are available through various forms:

    • electoral roll

      • only available for inspection via Clerk

    • assets register

      • available in hard copy from the Clerk at a cost of 0.20p per page

    • disclosure log (indicating the information that has been provided in response to requests)

      • available in hard copy from Wiltshire Council

    • register of members’ interests

      • published on the website on the Our councillors page

      • published on the Wiltshire Council website

    • register of gifts and hospitality

      • available in hard copy from the Clerk at a cost of 0.20p per page

  • Information about the services we offer is available for the following:

    • Allotments

      • n/a

    • Burial grounds fees

      • available in hard copy from Clerk at a cost of 0.20p per page

    • Community centres and village halls

      • n/a

    • Parks, playing fields and recreational facilities fess and byelaws

      • available on application to Clerk, no fee

    • Seating, litter bins, clocks, memorials and lighting

      • available on application to Clerk, no fee

    • Bus shelters

      • available on application to Clerk, no fee

    • Markets

      • n/a

    • Public conveniences

      • n/a

    • Agency agreements

      • n/a

    • A summary of services for which the council is entitled to recover a fee, including burial grounds and associated burial ground charges, and recreation ground hire fees

      • available in hard copy from Clerk at a cost of 0.20p per page

Schedule of charges

This describes how the charges have been arrived at:

  • Disbursement cost

    • Photocopying - 0.20p per page per sheet (black & white)

  • Parish Clerk’s time

    • Pro rata plus mileage costs - Current NJC rates plus 5% 

      • Postage - Current cost of Royal Mail standard 2nd class stamp

  • Statutory Fee

    • Not Applicable - In accordance with the relevant legislation (quote the actual statute)