(A pdf version of this policy is available for download here)
Introduction
St Erth Parish Council recognizes that the efficient management of its records is necessary to comply with its legal and regulatory obligations and to contribute to the effective overall management of the Parish Council.
Scope of the policy
This policy applies to all records created, received or maintained by the Parish Council in the course of carrying out its functions. Records are defined as all those documents which facilitate the business carried out by the Parish Council and which are thereafter retained (for a set period) to provide evidence of its transactions or activities. These records may be created, received or maintained in hard copy or electronically.
A small percentage of the Parish Council’s records will be selected for permanent preservation as part of the Council’s archives and for historical research.
Responsibilities
The Parish Council has a corporate responsibility to maintain its records and record management systems in accordance with the regulatory environment. The person with overall responsibility for this policy is the Clerk.
The Clerk will give guidance for good records management practice and will promote compliance with this policy so that information will be retrieved easily, appropriately and in a timely fashion.
The Parish Council will only keep data for as long as it is necessary to do so.
Relationship with existing policies
This policy has been drawn up within the context of:
- Freedom of Information policy
- General Privacy Notice
- Privacy Notice
- Publication Scheme
and with other legislation or regulations (including audit and Statute of Limitations) affecting the Parish Council.
Retention Schedule
Documents and records should be retained until they are no longer needed. Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Parish Council is required to maintain a retention schedule listing the record series which it creates in the course of its business. The retention schedule lays down the length of time which the record needs to be retained and the action which should be taken when it is of no further administrative use.
Members of staff and Councillors are expected to manage their current record keeping systems using the retention schedule and to take account of the different kinds of retention periods when they are creating new record keeping systems.
The retention schedule refers to record series regardless of the media in which they are stored.
Planning Applications
All planning applications and relevant decision notices are available from Cornwall Council. There is no requirement to retain duplicates locally. All Parish Council recommendations in connection with these applications are recorded in the Council minutes and are retained indefinitely. Correspondence received in connection with applications will be retained as stated below.
List of Documents
Document | Minimum Retention Period | Reason | Disposal |
Minutes & Correspondence | |||
Signed Minutes | Indefinite | Archive, Public inspection | N/A |
Agendas | 5 years | Management | RW |
General emails and correspondence | Retained for as long as document is needed | Management | CW |
Information from other bodies (eg CALC) | Retained for as long as document is useful | Management | RW |
Local / historical information | Indefinite | To be securely kept for the benefit of the Parish | N/A |
Magazines and journals | Retained for as long as document is useful | The Legal Deposit Libraries Act 2003 | RW |
Finance & Payroll | |||
Audited Accounts | Indefinite | Audit | N/A |
Receipt and payment accounts | Indefinite | Archive | N/A |
Receipts books of all kinds | 6 years | VAT | RW |
All bank statements | Last completed audit year | Audit | CW |
Bank paying-in books | Last completed audit year | Audit | CW |
Cheque book stubs | Last completed audit year | Audit | CW |
Quotations and tenders (successful) | 6 years | Limitation Act 1980 (as amended) | CW |
Paid invoices | 6 years | VAT | CW |
Paid cheques | 6 years | Limitation Act 1980 (as amended) | CW |
VAT records | 6 years | VAT | CW |
Petty cash, postage and telephone books | 6 years | Tax, VAT, Limitation Act 1980 (as amended) | CW |
Timesheets | Last completed audit year
3 years |
Audit
Personal injury |
RW |
Wages / payroll | 6 years from end of employment | Audit | CW |
Scale of fees & charges | 6 years | Management | RW |
Budgets | Indefinite | Local Choice | N/A |
Investments | Indefinite | Audit, Management | N/A |
Human Resources | |||
Staff files | 6 years from end of employment | Audit | CW |
Job applications (unsuccessful) | 6 months from time of appointment | Management | CW |
Insurance | |||
Accident/incident reports | 20 years | Potential claims | CW |
Insurance policies | While valid | Management | CW |
Insurance company names & policy nos | Indefinite | Management | N/A |
Insurance claims | 7 years after all obligations are concluded or child reaches age of 25 | Limitation Act 1980 (as amended) | CW |
Insurance certificates | 40 years | The Employers Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Regulations 1998 (SI2753) | RW |
Health & Safety inspection records | 6 years | Management | RW |
Miscellaneous | |||
Strategic Plans | Until superseded | Common Practice | RW |
Policies & Operational Procedures | Until superseded | Common Practice | RW |
Declarations of office | Term of office | Management | CW |
Members register of interests | Term of office | Management | CW |
Complaints | 2 years from resolution | Management | CW |
Title deeds, leases, agreements, contracts | Indefinite | Audit, Management | N/A |
Members allowances register | 6 years | Tax, Limitation Act 1980 (as amended) | CW |
Legal/Litigation Files | 6 years | Common practice | CW |
Allotments | |||
Register and plans | Indefinite | Audit, Management | N/A |
Lease agreements | Whilst valid | Management | CW |
Burial Grounds | |||
Register of: Fees collected / Burials / Purchased Graves / Plan of grave spaces / Memorials | Indefinite | Local Authorities Cemeteries Order 1977 (SI204) Management | N/A |
RW – recycled waste CW – confidential waste (to be disposed of securely).
Adopted | 7th September 2021 | 098/09/21-22a) |
Reviewed | 7th November 2023 | 124/11/23-24d) |
Next review due | November 2026 |