Freedom of Information
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 promotes greater openness and accountability across the public sector and gives a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities, subject to exemptions.
You can also request information about the personal data the council holds about you.
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is an independent body that enforces the Freedom of Information Act, the Data Protection Act and the Environmental Information Regulations, and has produced some guidance at https://ico.org.uk/your-data-matters/official-information/ on what to consider before making your request.
How to make a request
To make a request, contact the Town Clerk, Arren Roberts, at arrenroberts(at)oswestry-tc.gov.uk or by post, and we will respond within 20 working days of receipt. Due to the current closure of the Town Council offices, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we would strongly advise that your request is made by email at this time. The request must be made in writing and include:
· Your full name and address (or email address)
· The specific details of the information you require including dates.
Refused requests
We will provide you with the information unless there is a good reason for not doing so - for example if your request relates to the personal details of another person. If we decline your request, we will let you know why we made this decision. If you do not agree, you can ask us to reconsider our decision. If the request is still declined, you can ask the Information Commissioner's Office to review the decision.
AUGUST 2020
Freedom of Information
You can submit a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act on any of the following subjects.
Core Classes
Council Internal Practice and Procedure
Classes of Available Information | Where Available |
---|---|
Minutes of Council and Committees - limited to the last 2 years | offices |
Agendas and supporting papers for council, committee and working groups, limited in each case to the forthcoming meeting | offices and online |
Copy of Standing Orders | offices |
Council and Committee terms of reference | offices |
Code of Conduct
Classes of Available Information | Where Available |
---|---|
Members Declaration of Acceptance of Office | offices |
All issues relating to Register of Interests to be viewed by arrangement with the Monitoring Officer at Shropshire Council | Shropshire Council |
Periodic Electoral Review
Classes of Available Information | Where Available |
---|---|
Information relating to the latest boundary review of the Council area. | offices |
Employment Practice and Procedure
Classes of Available Information | Where Available |
---|---|
Terms and conditions of employment | offices |
Staffing structure | offices |
Job descriptions | offices |
Equal Opportunities Policy | offices |
Health and Safety Policy | offices |
Exclusions - "personal records" - i.e. Appraisals, employee specific salary details, disciplinary records, sickness records and the like by virtue of being personal data under the Data Protection | offices |
Planning Documents
Classes of Available Information | Where Available |
---|---|
Responses to planning applications | offices |
Audit and Accounts
Classes of Available Information | Where Available |
---|---|
Annual return form – limited to last financial year | offices |
Annual Statutory report by auditor ( internal and external) – limited to the last financial year | offices |
Receipt/Payment books, Receipt Books of all kinds, Bank statements from all accounts – limited to the last financial year. | offices |
Precept request - limited to the last financial year. | offices |
VAT records - limited to the last financial year. | offices |
Financial Standing Orders and regulations | offices |
Assets register | offices |
Risk assessments | offices |
Fees and charges applied by the Council | offices |
Register / file of members allowances | offices |
Exclusions – all commercially sensitive information e.g. quotations and tenders, loan documentation and insurance policies. | offices |
Optional Classes
Development and Implementation of Policy
Classes of Available Information | Where Available |
---|---|
Policy statements issued by the Council | offices |
Responses made by the Council to consultation papers | offices |
Complaints handling procedure | offices |
Byelaws
Classes of Available Information | Where Available |
---|---|
Made for the regulation of a pleasure ground or public open space | offices |
Council Circular / Newsletters
Classes of Available Information | Where Available |
---|---|
Town, parish, community guide | offices |
Allotments
Classes of Available Information | Where Available |
---|---|
Plans | offices |
Standard tenancy agreements | offices |
Exclusions – individual tenancy agreements and rent payment records under both privacy and data protection laws. | offices |
Best Value
Classes of Available Information | Where Available |
---|---|
Best Value Performance Plan | offices |
Best Value Inspection reports | offices |
Charges
The Council will make a reasonable charge for all photocopies and costs necessary to provide and produce information in both core and optional classes.
Oswestry Town Council,
The Guildhall,
Oswestry,
Shropshire
SY11 1PZ
Tel: 01691 680222
E-mail: enquiries(at)oswestry-tc.gov.uk
Twitter: @OswestryTC
Join us on Facebook