The Local Government Transparency Code is due to be updated once again to require local authorities to proactively publish even more information. The Department for Communities and Local Government is consulting on proposals to require councils to publish:
- more information about land and property assets they hold on the Government’s electronic Property Information Management System
- existing procurement publication in particular forms
- the costs of “in-house” service contracts above £500k
- greater detail about parking charges as well as statistics about the enforcement of parking restrictions
- information about dealings with small and medium-sized enterprises
- all information under the Code through a single website landing page
The Code is made under Section 3 of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 which gives the Secretary of State the power to issue a code of practice about the publication of information by local authorities in England (as well as, amongst others, National Park Authorities, Fire and Waste Authorities and Integrated Transport Authorities) relating to the discharge of their functions.
In February 2015 the code was re issued to require local authorities to publish information about their social housing stock. Smaller councils, including parish councils have to comply with the Transparency Code for Smaller Authorities, which was published in December 2014.
The consultation began on 12th May 2016. All responses should be received by no later than 8th July 2016.
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