The Local Government Transparency Code 2015 (the code) came in to 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 an previous codes issued in relation to authorities in England under those powers. Click here for full details of the Local Government Transparency Code 2015
Although Great Totham Parish Council does not meet the definition of a local authority covered by the requirements of the code (Total turnover or expenditure above £200,000), The Practitioners Guide 2025 states that Smaller Authorities with total turnover or expenditure greater than £25,000 should, as best practice, comply with the code. The Transparency Code 2015 requires local authorities in England to publish the following information to ensure local people can see and access data covering; how money is spent, use of assets, decision making and issues important to local people.
There are seven classes of information which must be made available to the public:
Class Two- What the council spends and how it spends it:
Class Three- The council’s priorities and its progress
Class Four- How the council makes decisions:
Class Five- The council's policies and procedures
Class Six – Lists and Registers: Any publicly available register or list
Land Owned
Class Seven - The Council's service
The seven classes of information above, do not include: Information that the council is prevented from disclosing by law Information exempt under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 Information in draft form If a council does not hold the type of information in one of the classes, it will not be in breach of any statutory obligations under the 2000 Act. Ensuring that the public can access the information via the council’s Publication Scheme is vital. A council’s publication scheme must confirm how much the information in the seven classes can be accessed and if there is a charge. Part 2 of the Code is recommended practice for parish councils whose gross annual income or expenditure (whichever is the higher) does not exceed £6.5 million.
Information to be published quarterly
Government Procurement- Not Applicable
Card Transactions- Not Applicable
Information to be published annually
Local Authority Land Register
Grants Awarded- Not Applicable
Parking Revenue- Not Applicable
Controlled Parking Spaces- Not Applicable
Constitution- Not Applicable
Waste Contract- Not Applicable
Great Totham Parish Council complies with the requirements of the Transparency Code by publishing the information on its website. Hard copies are available from the Parish Clerk in line with the Council’s Publication Scheme.