Publication scheme

The publication scheme was created to meet the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, using the model publication scheme approved by the Office of the Information Commissioner. The scheme sets out the different classes of information Tendring District Council makes available, which can be divided into seven distinct areas:

Who we are and what we do

Organisational information, structures and contacts:

• Council constitution
• Council democratic structure
• Organisational chart
• Location and opening times of council properties
• Currently elected councillors' information and contact details
• Contact details for all customer-facing departments
• Most recent election results
• Statement of community involvement (planning)
• Relationships with other authorities
• Information for Council tenants

What we spend and how we spend it

Financial information about projected and actual income and expenditure, procurement, contracts and financial audit:

• Financial statements, budgets and variance reports
• Details of expenditure over £500, including costs, supplier and transaction information (monthly)
• Capital programme
• Spending reviews
• Financial audit reports
• The members' allowances scheme and the allowances paid under it to councillors each year
• Staff allowances and expenses
• Pay and grading structure
• Procurement processes
• Details of contracts and tenders to businesses and to the voluntary community and social enterprise sector
• Details of grants to the voluntary community and social enterprise sector
• District auditor's report
• Financial statements for projects and events
• Internal financial regulations
• Funding for partnership arrangements
• Section 106 finance reports
• Annual report for Tenants

What our priorities are and how we are doing

Strategies and plans, performance indicators, audits, inspections and reviews:

• Corporate Plan 2020 - 2024
• Tendring District Local Plan: Proposed Submission Draft (2012)
• Annual Monitoring Report (planning)
• Annual reports
• Strategies and business plans for services provided by the council
• Internal and external organisation performance reviews, including external audits
• Economic development strategy
• Forward plan
• Capital strategy
• Service standards - Environmental services
• Service standards - Licensing

How we make decisions

Decision making processes and records of decisions:

• Timetable of council meetings
• Agendas, officers' reports, background papers and minutes of council committee, sub committee and standing forum meetings
• Major policy proposals and decisions
• Public consultations
• Internal communications guidance, criteria used for decision-making, internal instructions, manuals and guidelines
• Planning applications and decisions

Our policies and procedures

Current written protocols, policies and procedures for delivering our services and responsibilities:

• Tendring District Local Plan: Proposed Submission Draft (2012)
• Supplementary planning policies and guidance
• Planning enforcement policy
• Policies and procedures for conducting council business
• Policies and procedures for delivering our services
• Policies and procedures about the recruitment and employment of staff
• Customer service
• Records management and personal data policies
• Charging regimes and policies
• Policies and procedures for Council Accommodation
• Procedure to move from a Council property
• Tenancy information
• Sheltered Housing Guide
• Housing Strategies
• Careline- Service Users guide

Lists and registers

• Planning applications
• Planning decisions and weekly lists
• Enforcement cases (planning)
• Local Land Charges Register
• Public register of Councillors Disclosable Pecuniary Interests Forms
• Asset registers and information asset register
• CCTV
• Disclosure logs
• Register of councillors' financial and other interests
• Register of electors
• Public Register for Council Part B Processes
• Partnership Register
• Freedom of Information
• Public Register containing information on Zoos, Boarding Establishments, Home Boarding, Pet Shops, Riding Establishments, Dangerous Wild Animals, Skin Piercing, Cooling Towers, Tattooists, Breeders
• Public Register of Environmental Permits
• Assisted Funerals
• Private Water Supply Properties
• Seized Dog Register

Services provided by the council

Information about the services the council provides including leaflets, guidance and newsletters:

• Regulatory and licensing responsibilities
• Services for local businesses
• Services for members of the public - Benefits
• Services for members of the public - Community
• Services for members of the public - Council tax
• Services for members of the public - Environment
• Services for members of the public - Housing
• Services for members of the public - Jobs
• Services for members of the public - Leisure
• Services for members of the public - Planning
• Services for members of the public - Rubbish and Recycling
• Services for members of the public - Travel and Parking
• Services provided by Essex County Council(link is external) (e.g. Education, Highways, Social Services, Children Services)
• Information for visitors to the area, leisure information, events
• Media releases
• Election information
• Advice before making a planning application
• Determination of planning applications
• Preparation of the Local Plan
• Determination of building regulation applications
• Local land charges service
• Tree protection
• Planning enforcement
• Heritage and conservation
• Living in your home
• Council Housing Repairs Handbook
• Running a Residents Association
• Leisure Centres and Pools
• Council Tax Charges for each area in the Tendring District

Most of our information is available free of charge and can be downloaded from this website. However, some information made available under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environmental Information Regulations 2005 and other relevant legislation does incur a charge. The Council's charging policy outlines the occasions on which charges will be made, and the amounts charged.

We attempt to provide the majority of information electronically via the website, but in those instances where information can only be accessed in other ways, this will be stated explicitly.

Information can be translated and/ or made available in alternative formats on request.

Failure to provide information

It is not always to possible to provide information requested. There are a number of reasons why we may be unable to provide information:

• We do not hold the information requested.
• The information is exempt under one of the FOI exemptions or Environmental Information Regulations (EIRs), or its release is prohibited under another statute.
• The information is archived, out of date or otherwise inaccessible.
• It would be impractical or resource-intensive to prepare the information for routine release.

Further guidance is available from the Office of the Information Commissioner.

Making a complaint

If you wish to make a complaint about the Publication Scheme or the way we have dealt with your request for a publication, please see our how to complain page.

If, after following our complaints procedure, you are still not satisfied, you are entitled to take your complaint to the Office of the Information Commissioner.