Financial Information

The Local Government Transparency Code 2015 (the code) came into effect on 1 April 2015. The code is issued by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government in exercise of powers under section 2 of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980, and replaces any previous codes issued in relation to authorities in England under those powers.

The code does not replace or supersede the existing framework for access to and re-use of public sector information provided by the:

• Freedom of Information Act 2000 (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 rights for persons to inspect a local authority’s accounting records and supporting documentation, and to make copies of them.

The code requires local authorities in England covered by the code to publish the following information to ensure local people can see and access data covering how money is spent, use of assets, decision making and issues important to local people. Ninfield Parish Council does not meet the definition of a local authority covered by the code but recognises that to do so is best practice and therefore publishes the relevant information.

Quarterly – Expenditure exceeding £500, Procurement information.

Annually – Local Authority Land, Constitution Policies, Organisational Chart

Grants – the Council makes small Grants

The following are not applicable to the Ninfield Parish Council and are therefore not published:

Register of gifts and hospitality – the Council does not receive gifts or hospitality.

Government Procurement Card Transactions – the Council has no Government Procurement Cards

Social Housing Assets – the Council does not hold any social housing stock

Trade Union Facility Time – the Council has no staff members who are union representatives

Parking Accounts – the Council has no chargeable parking

Parking Spaces – the Council has no controlled parking spaces

Fraud – the Council has no staff members undertaking fraud investigation work

Ninfield Parish Council voluntarily complies with the requirements of the code by publishing information in its website. Hard copies are available by application to the clerk in line with the Councils Publication Scheme.

Full details of the code can be found by clicking on the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-government-transparency-code-2015