Transparency Code
In April 2015, the government introduced the ‘Transparency Code’, which was issued to meet the government’s desire to place more power into citizens’ hands to increase democratic accountability.
It applies to the following types of authorities with an annual turnover not exceeding £25,000:
- parish councils
- internal drainage boards
- charter trustees
- port health authorities
The code is mandatory from 1 April 2015 and requires the online publication of key spending and governance information on the occasions specified in the Code.
The government made a fund of £4.7 million available to help small parish councils such a ourselves to become web-enabled and compliant with the Transparency Code for Smaller Authorities. Shalden Parish Council received a grant of £1600 from the National Association of Local Councils which has been used to purchase a laptop, scanner and software for the parish council as well as funds to build and host this website.
This programme has helped us to move to digitally maintaining records and finance and to publish this online, ensuring that we are transparent and accountable to the local community and up-to-speed in the digital age.