Local Government Transparency Code 2015
The Local Government Transparency Code 2015 (‘the Code’) came into effect on 1 April 2015. The Code is issued by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government in exercise of powers under section 2 of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980, and replaces any previous codes issued in relation to authorities in England under those powers.
The Code does not replace or supersede the existing framework for access to and re-use of public sector information provided by the:
- Freedom of Information Act 2000 (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 rights for persons to inspect a local authority’s accounting records and supporting documentation, and to make copies of them.
- Ottery St Mary Town Council meets the definition of a local authority covered by the requirements of the Code, defined as a ‘parish council which has gross annual income or expenditure (whichever is higher) exceeding £200,000’
The Code requires local authorities in England to publish the following information quarterly:
- Expenditure exceeding £500 – see below
- Government Procurement Card transactions – N/A
- Procurement Information – see below
- Additionally, local authorities are required to publish the following information annually:
- Local Authority Land – see below
- Social housing assets – N/A
- Grants to voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations – see below
- Organisational chart – see Staff Structure below
- Trade union facility time – N/A
- Parking account – N/A
- Parking Spaces – N/A
- Senior salaries – N/A
- Constitution – Local Councils, unlike principal authorities, are not required by law to adopt a constitution. However they need to adopt Standing Orders, Financial Regulations and other governing documents such as a Members Code of Conduct and a Publication Scheme –The Town Council’s Policies can be viewed below
- Pay multiple – Information to be provided shortly
- Fraud – N/A
- Waste contracts – N/A
The Town Council complies with the requirements of the Code where applicable, by publishing the information on its website. In addition, the Town Council goes over and above the statutory requirements by also incorporating the provisions of the ‘Transparency Code for Smaller Authorities’ (Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014) applicable to those parish councils with an annual turnover not exceeding £25,000.
Expenditure over £500.00
Ottery St Mary (OSM) Town Council provides an approved schedule of payments at the main meeting of the Council held on the first Monday of each month. The payments are listed as part of the agenda and all expenditure is listed, detailing supplier and transaction information. The current monthly schedules of expenditure over £500.00, along with last year can be viewed on the statements page here
Click here to view the Community Infrastructure Levy (‘CIL’) Annual Report
Agendas for Council meetings can be viewed on the Town Council noticeboards at Tipton St John, Alfington, Taleford, OSM hospital, OSM Library and Coleridge Pre- School in Jesu Lane, OSM and on the website in the committees page here
Senior Employees
The Town Council is required to publish details of any senior employees (including job descriptions, responsibilities, budgets and numbers of staff) earning over £58,200 per annum.
The Town Council has no employees earning in excess of this sum.
Staff Structure
The Town Council currently employs 2 members of staff: the Town Clerk (full time) and the Administrator/Receptionist (25 hours). An Assistant Town Clerk (full time) will be starting in May 2026.
Councillor Allowances and Expenses
The Mayor receives an annual allowance of a maximum of £1000. The Mayor only claims expenses incurred which generally do not exceed £400 per year.
These items are shown in the schedule of payments included in the full Town Council agenda.
Members’ Allowances
Ottery St Mary Town Council pays an annual allowance to all councillors who wish to claim it. The level of the parish basic allowance is based on the recommendations of the principal council’s (East Devon District Council) independent remuneration panel. Decisions on these matters are determined under the Local Authorities (Members’ Allowances) (England) Regulations.
The special responsibility allowance and basic allowance payable is based on a percentage of district councillor allowances as follows:
10 per cent of the district council basic allowance (Mayor)
7 per cent of the district council basic allowance (Member)
The District Council basic allowance is £5391.50 per annum so this translates into £539.15 per annum for the Mayor and £377.40 per annum for Members.
Members can also claim mileage and parking costs if they are attending meetings which are called by the Council or attending meetings of other bodies at which Members are representing the Council.
Members’ Register of Interests
These can be viewed here via the East Devon District Council website.
Grants to the voluntary community and social enterprise sector
The Town Council sets aside a budget each year to support local organisations. Grants awarded this year can be viewed here
Grant Application Form (PDF)
Information about applying for a grant and a copy of the application form can be downloaded using this link
Policies, Performance, External Audits and Key Inspections and Key Indicators
Annual Returns are available here
Policies can be viewed here
The Location of Public Land or Building Assets
Click here to see the location of the buildings/land.
The current Asset Register can be viewed here
Data of Democratic Running of the Town Council
The constitution of the Town Council is known as Standing Orders and lays out how the business of the Council is conducted. A copy of Standing Orders can be viewed here
The decisions of the Town Council are recorded in the minutes of meetings which can be viewed on the committees page here
The last elections took place in May 2023.