Local Government Transparency Code 2015

Overview

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.

Nelson Town Council meets the definition of a local authority covered by the requirements of the Code, defined as a 'parish council which has gross annual income or expenditure (whichever is higher) exceeding £200,000'

Requirements

The Town Council complies with the requirements of the Code where applicable, by publishing the information on its website. The requirements of the code stipulate:

Expenditure exceeding £500 - see below
Government Procurement Card transactions - N/A
Procurement Information (details of every invitation for tender exceeding £5,000 and details of any contract, commissioned activity exceeding £5,000 - see below
Additionally, local authorities are required to publish the following information annually:
Local Authority Land - see below
Social housing assets - N/A
Grants to voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations - see below
Organisational chart - see Staff Structure below
Trade union facility time - N/A
Parking account - N/A
Parking Spaces - N/A
Senior salaries - N/A
Constitution - Local Councils, unlike principal authorities, are not required by law to adopt a constitution. However they need to adopt Standing Orders, Financial Regulations and other governing -View Policies & Procedures page
Fraud - N/A
Waste contracts - N/A

Expenditure Exceeding £500

Publication Frequency: Quarterly

Visit our Accounts and Payments Lists page to view the expenditure sheets detailing each individual items of expenditure exceeding £500.

Accounting information includes credit notes over £500.

Procurement Information

Publication Frequency: Quarterly

Details of every invitation to tender for contracts to provide goods and services; details of contracts, commissioned, activity and purchases exceeding £5,000 are available on our Procurement page.

Local Authority Land & Assets

Publication Frequency: Annually

The Town Council reviews it's asset register at least on an annual basis to ensure that it is up to date.

Please visit our Asset Register page to download the register.

Grants

Publication Frequency: Annually

Details of our grants process is available on our Grants Page.

Details of organisations who have been awarded a grant are publicised on our Accounts and Payments List page.

Organisation Chart

Publication Frequency: Annual

Please click here to download and view our organisation chart.

Constitution

Publication Frequency: Annual

Local Councils unlike principal authorities are not required by law to adopt a constitution. However they do need to adopt Standing Orders, Financial Regulations and other governing documents which set out how the Council will operate.

Please visit our Policies and Procedures page for further information.

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