Publication scheme

In accordance with Section 19 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 we have adopted the model publication scheme.

The publication scheme is our commitment to routinely publish, or make available, certain classes of information. This is how we disseminate information and act as our guides to information which can be readily accessed.

We have adopted the Information Commissioner's scheme in its entirety. We have also added additional information to the scheme to assist users and have provided additional information below the scheme.

Model publication scheme

This scheme has been prepared and approved by the Information Commissioner. It may be adopted without modification by any public authority without further approval and will be valid until further notice.

This scheme commits us to make information available to you as part of our normal business activities. The information covered is included in the classes of information mentioned below, where this information is held by us. Additional assistance is provided to the definition of these classes in sector specific guidance manuals issued by the Information Commissioner.

The scheme commits us to

• Proactively publish, or otherwise make available as a matter of routine, information including environmental information, held by us and falling within the classifications below.
• Specify the information is held by the us falling within the classifications below.
• Proactively publish, or otherwise make available as a matter of routine, information in line with the statements contained within this scheme.
• Produce and publish the methods by which the specific information is made routinely available so that it can be easily identified and accessed by you.
• Review and update regularly the information we make available under this scheme.
• Produce a schedule of any fees charged for access to information which is made proactively available.
• Make this publication scheme available to you.

Classes of information

Who we are and what we do

Organisational information, locations and contacts, constitutional and legal governance.

Examples (current information):

• Council constitution
• Council structure
• Location and opening times of our offices
• Currently elected councillor's information and contact details
• Most recent election results
• Relationships with other authorities

What we spend and how we spend it

Financial information relating to projected and actual income and expenditure, tendering, procurement and contracts.

Examples (current and previous two financial years):

• Financial statements, budgets and variance reports
• Capital programme
• Spending reviews
• Financial audit reports
• The members' allowances scheme and the allowances paid under it to councillors each year
• Staff allowance and expenses that can be claimed
• Pay and grading structure (for posts rather than for individuals)
• Procurement procedures
• Contracts available for public tender
• Details of contracts currently being tendered
• List of contracts awarded and their value (large contracts only)
• District auditor's report
• Financial statements for identifiable projects
• Internal financial regulations
• Funding for partnership arrangements

Our priorities are and how we are doing

Strategy and performance information, plans, assessments, inspections and reviews.

Examples (current and previous three years):

• Annual reports, service and business plans
• Best value local performance plan
• Internal and external organisation performance review
• Strategies developed in partnership with other authorities
• Forward plan
• Capital strategy
• Best value performance indicators
• Comprehensive performance assessment
• Inspection reports
• Local Area Agreements
• Impact assessments
• Service standards
• Public service agreements

How we make decisions

Policy proposals and decisions, decision making processes, internal criteria and procedures, consultations.

Examples (current and previous three years):

• Timetable of council meetings
• Agendas, officers' reports, background papers and minutes of council, sub committee and standing forum meetings information that is required to be publicly available under local authority access to information rules)
• Major policy proposals and decisions (information that can be made available to the public without damaging internal policy development and relations with other public authorities)
• Public consultations

Policies and procedures

Current written protocols for delivering our functions and responsibilities.

Examples (current information):

• Policies and procedures for conducting council business
• Policies and procedures for delivering our services
• Policies and procedures about the recruitment and employment of staff
• Customer service

Lists and registers.

Information held in registers required by law and other lists and registers relating to the functions of the authority.

Examples (current information):

• Public registers and registers held as public records
• Request logs
• Register of councillors' financial and other interests
• Register of gifts and hospitality

The services we offer

Advice and guidance, booklets and leaflets, transactions and media releases. A description of the services offered.

Examples (current information):

• Details of the services we provide
• Services for local businesses
• Information for visitors to the area, events, museums and libraries
• Leaflets, booklets and newsletters
• Media releases

The classes of information will not generally include:

• Information the disclosure of which is prevented by law, or exempt under the Freedom of Information Act, or is otherwise properly considered to be protected from disclosure.
• Information in draft form.
• Information that is no longer readily available as it is contained in files that have been placed in archive storage, or is difficult to access for similar reasons.

How information published under this scheme will be made available

We will indicate clearly to the public what information is covered by this scheme and how it can be obtained.

Where it is within our capability, information will be provided on this website. Where this is impracticable, or when an individual doesn't want to access the information by the website, we will indicate how information can be obtained by other means and provide it by those means.

In exceptional circumstances some information may be available only by viewing in person. Where this is specified, contact details will be provided. An appointment to view the information will be arranged within a reasonable timescale.

Information will be provided in the language in which it is held or in such other language that is legally required. Where we are legally required to translate any information, it will do so.

Obligations under disability, discrimination legislation or any other legislation to provide information in other forms and formats will be followed when providing information in accordance with this scheme.

Charges

The purpose of this scheme is to make the maximum amount of information readily available at minimum inconvenience and cost to you. Charges made by us for routinely published material will be justified and transparent and kept to a minimum.

Material which is published and accessed on this website will be provided free of charge.

Charges may be made for information subject to a charging regime specified by Parliament.

Charges may be made for actual disbursements incurred such as:

• Photocopying
• Postage and packaging
• Costs directly incurred as a result of viewing information. We will not normally charge for allowing inspection of documents on our premises.

Charges may also be made for information provided under this scheme where they are legally authorised, justified in all the circumstances and are in accordance with a published schedule fees readily available to the public.

If a charge is to be made, confirmation of the payment due will be given before the information is provided. Payment may be requested prior to provision of the information.

Written requests

Information held by us that is not published under this scheme can be requested in writing, when its provision will be considered in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.

Access to archival material held in the Centre for Buckinghamshire Studies

The Information Commissioner has accepted that information held within a county archive will be made available to the public according to that archive's rules, procedures and practices. Rules for accessing material and conducting research on behalf of the public are available at the Centre for Buckinghamshire Studies' (the county archive for Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes).