The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (now renamed the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government) issued the Local Government Transparency Code 2015 (the Code) which came into effect on 1st April 2015. It sets out the minimum data that local authorities should be publishing, the frequency it should be published and how it should be published.

The Code does not replace, or supersede, the existing framework for access to public sector information provided by the:-

• Freedom of Information Act 2000
• 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 have a gross income or expenditure in excess of £200,000. Parish councils with a ‘turnover’ of between £25,000 and £200,000 will be expected to follow the Local Government Transparency Code but are not legally required to do so.

Information which needs to be published

Under the below headers, information and data will be published at least quarterly by the 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 over £500

The Council publishes expenditure over £500 including supplier and transaction information. All payments are documented on full council agenda and minutes and a list of those over £500 are published quarterly on the  Financial Information page.

The Council’s expenditure for each financial year can be found on the Financial Information page.

Government Procurement Card Transactions

Burwell Parish Council does not use a Government Procurement Card and therefore has no information to publish.

Grants and donations to voluntary, community and faith sector organisations

As part of its ongoing commitment to the local community and voluntary sector, the Council offers grants throughout each financial year to support groups, activities and projects organised to benefit the people of Burwell. Details of grants or donations awarded can be found in the Council minutes and on the annual report.

Organisation Chart

The Council employs a Clerk (the Proper Officer) and an RFO (Responsible Finance Officer) who report to Council. The Clerk manages the Assistant to the Clerk, the Maintenance Officer, the Facilities Supervisor and the Assistant Facilities Supervisor.

Senior Salaries

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. Burwell Parish Council has no employees whose salary exceeds £50,000 per annum.

Councillor’s allowances and expenses

Councillors may claim expenses such as mileage.

Contracts and Tenders

Tenders/Contracts awarded over the value of £5,000 can be found on the Financial Information page.
Invitations to tender are issued for goods and services over £30,000.

Public Land and Property 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

This information is available on request.

Parking Account

Burwell Parish Council has no chargeable parking and therefore has no information to publish.

Parking Spaces

Burwell Parish Council has parking available at some of it's properties for users. We do not control any public parking spaces.

Policies and Governance Documents

The Councils policies and governance documents can be found on the Policies page.

Fraud

Burwell Parish Council has no staff members undertaking fraud investigation work and therefore has no information to publish.

Council Budget

A copy of the Council’s budget will be published annually. Burwell Parish Council is funded through the precept, which is collected along with your council tax.

The budget for the current and previous financial years can be found on the Financial Information page.

Internal and External Auditors

In accordance with the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015, Councils are required to have an annual 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 Moore.

A copy of the latest Internal Audit Report can be found on the Financial Information page.

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 on the Financial Information page.

Council and Committee Minutes

All Council minutes can be found on the Full Council Meetings page

Constitution

Burwell Parish Council has Standing Orders in place which can be found on the Policy page.

Social Housing

Burwell Parish Council does not provide any social housing or own any social housing stock.

Trade Union Facilities Time

Burwell Parish Council has no staff members who are union representatives and therefore has no information to publish.

Waste Collections

Burwell Parish Council currently has a commercial waste contract with Elgia, the cost is under £5000 per annum.