MINUTES WATCHDOG 7 - "Transparency"
We have noted the two following minutes in the September BJPC meeting minutes ( displayed online 05/10/09) Â
"09/113 Parish Council Newsletter The Parish Clerk advised the meeting of quotes received in respect of publishing a quarterly newsletter. Following a discussion of the alternative communication channels available to the Parish Council i.e the website, Parish magazine and noticeboard, it to defer the introduction of a newsletter at this time and to authorise the Parish Clerk to produce an A3 poster containing contact details and explanation of the roles and responsibilities of the Parish Council for display in public areas.was resolved "
 The BJPC have been publicising this News Letter launch for 6 moths now - now deferred alongside the earlier deferred E Forum
Talk about "putting the cart before the horse" - two cases of premature propaganda going wrong!
"09/115 Habitual & Vexatious Complainants & Contacts Policy It was resolved to exclude press any public and press from this item as it related to data protection and personal information of third parties.Confidential Item: The Chairman advised the meeting of considerations made under the terms of the policy during the Council recess. Councillors voted unanimously in support of actions taken. It was resolved to restrict the Parish Clerk’s time to 2 hours per month in respect of dealing with Freedom of Information requests. It was agreed that no further action under this policy was necessary at this time and the Parish Clerk would be asked to report monthly."
Our question it. - Is this constitutional or legal for Parish Councils to restrict time to a specific level per month for dealing with requests under the Freedom of Information Act ?
Our "Mantra" for all things BJPCÂ - "we simply ask for constant TRANSPARENCY "
