The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities issued the Local Government Transparency Code 2015 (the Code) which came into effect on 1st April 2015. The Code was issued through powers under Section 2 of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 and replaces any previous codes issued in relation to local authorities in England under those powers.
The aim of the Code, is to increase transparency through publication of open and reusable data enabling taxpayers to see how local authorities are using public money.
The Code does not replace, or supersede, the existing framework for access to public sector information provided by the:-
- Freedom of Information Act 2020 (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 the rights for persons to inspect a local authority’s accounting records and supporting documentation, and to make copies of them
The Code applies to Town and Parish Councils which have a gross income or expenditure in excess of £200,000.
Alderley Edge Parish Council provides some information below but also elsewhere on this website.
Information which needs to be published:
Expenditure over £500
The Council publishes expenditure including supplier and transaction information monthly on its Finance Pages. A summary overview of the Council’s income and expenditure as a whole can also be found on these pages.
All expenditure is reported to Full Council at each ordinary meeting which is held monthly. The schedule for all meetings can be found here and Agendas can also be viewed on the Parish Council noticeboard outside Waitrose.
Grants and donations
As part of its ongoing commitment to the local community and voluntary sector, the Parish Council offers grants throughout each financial year to support groups, activities and projects organised to benefit the people of Alderley Edge.
A list of these grants can be found below:
Alderley Edge Parish Council Grants
Employees
The Code requires local authorities to publish details (including job descriptions, responsibilities and staff numbers) of any senior employees earning over £50,000 per annum. Alderley Edge Parish Council do not have any employees earning over this amount.
Councillor’s allowances and expenses
An annual budget is set aside for the Chair to draw upon for expenses incurred whilst attending civic functions during their term of office.
Contracts and Tenders
Copies of contracts to businesses and to the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector worth more than £5,000 can be found on the schedule of payments.
Invitations to tender and quote are issued for goods and services over £5,000.
Details of Tenders can be found here
Details of Awarded Tenders can be found here
Public Land, Property and Car Parking owned by the Council
In order to ensure transparency and reasonableness, the following items are included on the Council’s Asset Register whether they have been gifted, purchased or otherwise acquired by the Parish Council together with their location.
These may include:-
- Land and buildings held freehold or on a long term lease
- Community assets
- Vehicles, plant and machinery
- Assets considered to be portable, attractive or of community significance
- Long term investments, share and loans
Alderley Edge Parish Council owns the following land and property:-
- Festival Hall, Talbot Road, Alderley Edge
- Medical Centre, Talbot Road, Alderley Edge
- Beech Close Community Allotments
- Chorley Hall Lane Allotments
- Heyes Lane Allotments
The Parish Council is not responsible for public car parks in Alderley Edge as these are owned and managed by Cheshire East Council.
The Parish Council does have access to land at its offices on which it is able to park three vehicles.
Social Housing
Alderley Edge Parish Council does not provide any social housing or own any social housing stock.
Waste Contracts
There are no waste collection contracts managed by the Parish Council.