TRANSPARENCY

The Local Government Transparency Code 2015 (the code) came into 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 any previous codes issued in relation to authorities in England under those powers.

The code does not replace or supersede the existing framework for access to and re-use of public sector information provided by the:

• Freedom of Information Act 2000 (as amended by the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012)
• 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 rights for persons to inspect a local authority’s accounting records and supporting documentation, and to make copies of them.

Hassocks Parish Council meets the definition of a local authority covered by the requirements of the code, defined as ‘a parish council which has gross annual income or expenditure (whichever is higher) exceeding £200,000’.

The code requires local authorities in England to publish the following information quarterly:

• Expenditure Exceeding £500.
• Government Procurement Card transactions. Not applicable to Hassocks Parish Council.
• Procurement Information.

Additionally, local authorities are required to publish the following information annually:

• Local Authority Land and Buildings.
• Social housing assets.  Not applicable to Hassocks Parish Council.
• Grants to voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations.
• Organisational Structure.
• Trade union facility time. Not applicable to Hassocks Parish Council.
• Parking account. Not applicable to Hassocks Parish Council. 
• Parking spaces. Not applicable to Hassocks Parish Council. 
• Senior salaries. Not applicable to Hassocks Parish Council. 
• Constitution.  Hassocks Parish Council’s constitution is made up of the Standing Orders, Financial Regulations and Code of Conduct, which can be found here.
• Pay Multiple.
• Fraud. Not applicable to Hassocks Parish Council. 

Hassocks Parish Council complies with the requirements of the code by publishing the information on this website. Hard copies are available on request from the Parish Council office.

Full details of the code can be found here Local Government Transparency Code 2015