Freedom Of Information
Rushwick Parish Council is committed to being open and transparent about the way it works and the decisions it makes. As a public authority, the Council is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000, which gives everyone the right to request information held by the Council.
Wherever possible, we try to make information available proactively, without the need for a formal request. This page explains what we publish as a matter of course, and how to ask for anything that isn’t already available.
Our Publication Scheme
Rushwick Parish Council has adopted the Information Commissioner’s Model Publication Scheme. This commits us to making certain classes of information available to the public as a matter of routine, either on this website or on request.
The information is organised into the following classes:
Class 1: Who we are and what we do Details of Councillors, the Clerk, committees, and how to contact the Council.
Class 2: What we spend and how we spend it Annual budgets, precept, financial statements, internal and external audit reports, and the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR).
Class 3: What our priorities are and how we are doing Council plans, strategies, and reports on progress against them, where these exist.
Class 4: How we make decisions Agendas, minutes, and reports for full Council and committee meetings.
Class 5: Our policies and procedures Standing Orders, Financial Regulations, the Code of Conduct, and other adopted policies, including this Freedom of Information policy.
Class 6: Lists and registers The register of members’ interests and the asset register.
Class 7: The services we offer Details of services provided by the Council, including any charges that apply.
Most of this information can be found elsewhere on this website, in the Council documents, meetings, and finance sections. Where something is not currently published, you are welcome to request it using the details below.
How to Request Information
If the information you’re looking for isn’t already available on this website, you can submit a Freedom of Information request to the Council. Requests should be made in writing and should include:
- your name and contact details
- a clear description of the information you’re requesting
- your preferred format, if you have one (for example, paper copy or email)
You can send your request to:
Email: support@rushwickparishcouncil.org.uk Telephone: 00000 000 000
What Happens Next
We will acknowledge your request and aim to respond within 20 working days, as required by law. If we hold the information you’ve asked for, we will provide it unless an exemption under the Act applies, in which case we will explain our reasoning. If we don’t hold the information, we will let you know and, where possible, point you towards who might.
Charges
Access to most information is free of charge. In some cases, we may charge a small fee to cover the cost of photocopying, printing, or postage. We will let you know in advance if a charge applies before proceeding with your request.
If You’re Unhappy with Our Response
If you’re not satisfied with how your request has been handled, you can ask the Council to carry out an internal review by contacting us using the details above. If you remain unhappy following the review, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO):
Information Commissioner’s Office Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF ico.org.uk
Contact Us
If you have any questions about this page or would like to make a request, please get in touch:
Email: support@rushwickparishcouncil.org.uk Telephone: 00000 000 000