Introduction
Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 all public authorities must publish a ‘Publication Scheme’. This is a guide to specific information held by the authority. The model used by Somerset Council is one that is for ‘principal local authorities’ as defined by the Information Commissioner’s Office. The model provides for the following classes of information.
Who we are and what we do
Organisational information, locations and contacts, and constitutional and legal governance.
- Council’s constitution and democratic structure
- Your Councillors
- Partnerships and trusts
- Election results
- Contact details
Locations and opening times:
What we spend and how we spend it
Financial information relating to projected and actual income and expenditure, tendering, procurement, and contracts.
- Financial statements, budgets and variance reports
- Capital programme
- Financial audit reports
- Councillor allowances
- Staff allowances and expenses
- Pay and grading structure
- Election expenses – Please submit a Freedom of Information Request
- Procurement procedures
Private Equity Holdings
The Somerset Council Pension Fund is committed to the highest levels of transparency and meeting our obligations under Freedom of Information.
Over a number of years we have consistently received requests for information specifically relating to the Fund’s private equity holdings. We are now committed to publishing this information here proactively every 6 months rather than responding to Freedom Of Information requests.
What our priorities are and how we are doing
Strategy and performance information, plans, assessments, inspections, and reviews.
How we make decisions
Policy proposals and decisions, decision making processes, internal criteria and procedures, and consultations.
Our policies and procedures
Current written protocols for delivering our functions and responsibilities.
Lists and registers
Information held in registers required by law and other lists and registers, relating to the functions of the authority.
The services we offer
Advice and guidance, booklets and leaflets, transactions and media releases. A description of the services offered.
Further information
These headings are broad and may include a number of different documents. We are not required to publish information where it would be impractical or resource-intensive to prepare this material for routine release.
We aim for as much of this information as possible to be available on our website. We are not required to show the information on our website by the classes or headings of the scheme. The following table will assist you in finding the location of the information you may seek on our website. The links might result in just one document or to a collection of documents.
Where it is unfeasible to make information available on our website or where you do not wish to access the information by the web we will inform you how you can obtain it by other means.
Material published and accessed on our website is provided free of charge. Information provided by other means may involve a charge, though we will always strive to ensure these are justifiable and kept to a minimum.
Information held by Somerset Council that is not published under this scheme can be requested in writing, where its provision will be considered in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. If we feel it would be helpful to publish this information we will add it to our website.
If you have any comments, queries or complaints about the Publication Scheme, please contact:
The Information Governance Team
Somerset Council
County Hall
Taunton
TA1 4DY
Phone: 01823 357194
Email: informationgovernance@somerset.gov.uk
Further information about Publication Schemes and the Freedom of Information Act 2000 can also be found on the Information Commissioner’s website.