Local Government Transparency Code
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, which can be found here, 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 a gross income or expenditure in excess of £200,000.
Sandbach Town Council provides some information below but also elsewhere on this website.
Information which needs to be published
Under the below headers, information and data will be published at least quarterly by the Town Council. Under the Data Protection Act 2018, personal data will be redacted if it can identify an individual.
Where contracts are awarded through a tender process and the value exceeds £50,000, the data will be published upon project delivery.
Expenditure over £500
The Council publishes expenditure over £500 including supplier and transaction information.
Employees
The Local Government Transparency Code requires local authorities to publish details (including job descriptions, responsibilities, and staff numbers) of any senior employees earning over £50,000 per annum. Local authorities must also publish the pay multiple, defined as the ratio between the highest paid taxable earnings for the given year and the median earnings figure of the whole of the authority’s workforce.
As of 1st of April 2023 Sandbach Town Council has one staff members earning over £50,000, with our highest paid salary being £55,162, our median salary is £24,855 and our pay multiple is 2.22.
View our Officers page for more information including current Staffing Structure.
Trade Union
Sandbach Town Council has no staff members who are trade union representatives. Therefore the total number of union representatives who devote at least 50% of their time to union duties is zero. There are also no names of all trade unions represented in the local authority.
Grants and Donations to voluntary, and community organisations
As part of its commitment to local community and voluntary organisations the Town Council again offers grants and donations to support local groups, activities and events. More information on grants can be found here.
Procurement Information
Local authorities must publish details of any contract, commissioned activity, purchase order, framework agreement and any other legally enforceable agreement with value that exceedes £5,000
Public Land, Buildings and Car Parking
In order to ensure transparency and reasonableness, the following items are included in the Council’s asset register, whether purchased, gifted or otherwise acquired, together with their holding location:
- land and buildings held freehold or on long term lease in the name of the Council
- community assets
- vehicles, plant and machinery
- assets considered to be portable, attractive or of community significance
- long term investments, shares and loans made by the Council
To see the land and property owned by Sandbach Town Council click here.
Sandbach Town Council is responsible for the Little Common Carpark, which has 21 parking spaces out of which 4 are disabled parking spaces.
Election results of the Town Council
The latest elections took place in May 2023, and the 21 members, across four wards are serving for a four year term of office.
View our Councillors page for more information including our Councillor Code of Conduct.
Policies and Governance Documents
View the Sandbach Town Councils policies and governance documents here.
Town Council Budget Reports
A copy of the Town Council’s budget is published annually, full details are available here.
Internal and External Auditors
In accordance with the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015, Councils are required to have an annual and mid-year internal audit. The Internal Auditor is appointed by Council who evaluate and review the Councils risk management, controls and governance.
The council prepares an annual accounting statement which is externally audited. This summarises the council’s income and expenditure for the year and includes statements from the council’s internal auditor.
More information and copies of audit documents can be found here.
Council and Committee Minutes
All Council and Committee minutes can be found here.
