Freedom of Information Act 2000
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 received Royal Assent on 30 November 2000. It gives a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities, sets out exemptions from that right and places a number of obligations on public authorities. Any person who makes a request to a public authority for information must be informed whether the public authority holds that information and, subject to exemptions, supplied with that information.
Individuals already have the right of access to information about themselves under the Data Protection Act 1998. As far as public authorities are concerned, the Freedom of Information extends this right to allow pubic access to all types of information held.
Every public authority is required to adopt and maintain a publication scheme setting out the classes of information it holds, the manner in which it intends to publish the information, and whether a charge will be made for the information. The purpose of a scheme is to ensure a significant amount of information is available, without the need for a specific request. Schemes are intended to encourage organisations to publish more information proactively and to develop a greater culture of openness.
This authority adopted the Scheme on 5 th November 2002, and agreed to maintain a publication scheme, setting out classes of information it holds, the manner in which it intends to publish the information and whether a charge will be made for that information.
All information will be available for inspection at the Parish Office by appointment with the Clerk at Chorleywood Parish Council, South Lodge, Rickmansworth Road, Chorleywood, Herts, WD3 5SL.
Copies of Core Classes of information will be provided on payment of a copying fee and postage charges provided it is not subject to the Data Protection Act or commercially confidential.
Listed below are details of publications available within the scheme.
1. Internal Practice and Procedure
(a) Minutes of the Council meetings from May 1998.
(b) Minutes of the Council’s Standing Committees from May 1998.
These include:-
Open Spaces (including Lawn Cemetery & Allotments)
Planning (including Transport)
Policy & Resources
Village Halls Trust
(c) Agendas and supporting papers for all of the above committees from May 1998
(d) Standing Orders including Standing Committee Terms of Reference, Contract
Specification Regulations, Terms of Reference of Selection of Chairman and Vice Chairman
(e) Council’s Annual Report from May 1998
2. Code of Conduct
(a) Members Declaration of Acceptance of Office
(b) Members Registration of Interests
(c) Register of Members Declaration of Interest
3. Periodic Electoral Review
4. Employment Practice and Procedure
(a) Job Description
(b) Terms & Conditions of Employment
Including Grievance Procedure and Disciplinary Procedure
(c) Health & Safety Policy
(d) Equal Opportunities Policy
(e) Racial Equality Policy
(f) Staffing structure
5. Planning Documents
(a) Responses to planning applications
6. Accounts and Audit
(a) Annual Return form
(b) (i) Annual Statutory Report by Audit External
(ii) Annual Statutory Report by Audit Internal
(c) (i)Receipt books
(ii) Bank books
(iii) Invoice documentation
(iv) Precept request
(v) VAT records
Financial Code of Practice
Asset Register
Risk Assessments
7. Fees and Charges
(i) Lawn Cemetery:
Plot purchase/Interment Fee/Memorial Plaque/Sale of Vase
(ii) Hall hire
(iii) Common benches
(iv) Allotment Rental
8. Register of Members allowances
9. Deeds:
(i) Chorleywood Common
(ii) Railway Field
(iii) Allotment Sites: Dog Kennel Lane, Copmans Wick and the Swillett
(iv) War Memorial Hall
(v) Hollybush Hall
(vi) Bullsland Hall
(vii) Chorleywood Lawn Cemetery
10. Development and Implementation of Policy
(i) Responses made to consultation documents.
(ii) Chorleywood Common Management Plan (Cost £1)
(iii) Chorleywood Common Woodland Management Plan
11. Byelaws
(i) Common Byelaws
12. Council Circulars/Newsletters
(i) Parish Guide
(ii) Chorleywood Matters
13. Arts Entertainment and Tourist Information
(i) Village Halls Booking Sheet
(ii) Village Halls Booking Regulations
(iii) Village Day Leaflets and Posters
(iv) Late Night Shopping Leaflets and Posters
(v) Circular Walk leaflet
14. Allotments
(i) Standard Tenancy Agreement
(ii) Site and Plot plans
15. Burial Grounds
(i) Plot plans
(ii) Cemetery Rules
Chorleywood Parish Council – Associate Contacts
Herts Biological Records Office
Martin Hicks
C/o Environment County Hall, Pegs Lane, Hertford SG13 8DN, Tel: 01992 555220
Email: biorec.info@hertscc.gov.uk
Countryside Management Service
Countryside Centre, Hixberry Lane, St Albans, Herts. AL4 0TZ
Tel: 01727 848168
Hertfordshire County Council
County Hall, Pegs Lane, Hertford SG13 8DN
Tel: 01992 555550
Three Rivers District Council
Three Rivers House, Northway, Rickmansworth, WD3 1RL
Tel: 01923 776611
Chiltern Forestry
Ric Pakenham
Stoney Lane Cottage, Little Haseley, Oxford OX44 7LU
Tel: 0184427 8849
Forestry Commission
Forestry Commission GB and Scotland.
Silvan House, 231 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH12 7AT
Telephone: 0131 334 0303 (switchboard)
Enquiries: 0845 FORESTS (3673787)
Fax: 0131 334 3047
E-mail: enquiries@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
DEFRA - Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Defra, Customer Contact Unit, Eastbury House, 30 - 34 Albert Embankment, London, SE1 7TL
Helpline: 08459 33 55 77
Fax: 020 7238 2188
Email: helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Natural England
Northminister House, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE1 1UA
Tel: 0845 600 3078 (local rate)
Fax: 01733 455103
Email enquiries@naturalengland.org.uk
CDA, Village Hall Advisory Service
Birchwood Avenue, Hatfield, Herts. AL10 0PS
Tel: 01707 695500
Charity Commission Direct
Charity Commission Direct, P O Box 1227, Liverpool L69 3UG
Tel: 01823 345471
Fax: 01923 345003
Performing Rights Society Ltd
P O Box 2397, London W1A 2RU
Tel: 0845 300 7030