Guidance

Transparency code for smaller authorities

This transparency code sets out what information smaller authorities should be publishing.

Applies to England

Documents

Transparency code for smaller authorities

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Transparency code for smaller authorities

Details

This code is 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 has confirmed a £4.7 million Transparency Fund to support small parish councils and other smaller authorities to become web-enabled and compliant with the Transparency Code for Smaller Authorities. This funding programme will be delivered through the National Association of Local Councils and is planned to be available from April 2015 for a 3-year period, delivered on county basis that targets local needs.

The programme will provide support, training and guidance to assist those authorities that require support to move to online publishing of this information, ensuring these bodies are transparent and accountable to their local communities and up-to-speed in the digital age.

Updates to this page

Published 17 December 2014
Last updated 27 March 2015 + show all updates
  1. Added information about associated funding to help bodies comply with the code.

  2. First published.

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