We make a wide range of information available as part of our publication scheme. This means you can access many council documents and records without needing to submit a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.

The scheme sets out the types of information we publish, why we publish it, and where you can find it.

What you can find in the publication scheme

The publication scheme brings together information we routinely publish, including:

Who we are and how we are organised

• Councillors, committees and decision‑making structures
• Senior management and organisational charts
• Roles, responsibilities and democratic arrangements
• Contact details for council services

About our Councillors and meetings

What we do

• Services we provide
• Statutory duties and responsibilities
• Service guides and information for residents and businesses

Policies, strategies and procedures

• Corporate policies and strategies
• Service‑specific policies
• Equality, safeguarding and governance policies
• Procedures for delivering our services

Our strategies

Financial information

• Annual budgets and financial statements
• Spending data and transparency reports
• Contracts, tenders and procurement information
• Fees, charges and financial regulations

View our transparency and open data

Decision‑making, meetings and reports

• Council, committee and sub‑committee agendas and minutes
• Reports, background papers and key decisions
• Forward plans and decision notices
• Public consultations and engagement outcomes

View our decisions at council and committee meetings

Lists and registers

• Public registers we are required to maintain
• Asset registers and land ownership information
• Public health funerals
• Contracts register

Gifts and hospitality registers

To view a councillor’s list of gifts and hospitality, find the councillor you’re looking for and open the section called “Gifts and hospitality.

View gifts and hospitality register

Services and guidance

• Information about the services we provide
• Advice, guidance and support for residents and businesses
• How to access services or apply for permits, licences or support

Planning and building control

• Planning applications and decisions
• Local plans and planning policy
• Building control information and guidance

Read planning committee meeting minutes and application decisions

Business rates information

We publish quarterly data on business rates accounts, including accounts in credit, reliefs and property lists.

View business rates

Environmental information

• Environmental reports and monitoring
• Waste, recycling and sustainability information
• Environmental impact assessments

Employment and recruitment

• Job vacancies
• People (HR) policies and workforce information
• Pay policy statements

Our career pages

Why we publish this information

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, all public authorities must adopt a publication scheme. Our scheme helps you:

• find information quickly and easily
• understand how the council works and how decisions are made
• access commonly requested information without submitting an FOI request

If you can’t find what you need

If the information you’re looking for isn’t included in the publication scheme, you can:

• submit an FOI request

We’ll let you know if the information is already available or if it needs to be requested formally.

Make a FOI or EIR request

Accessibility

If you need any of the information we publish in an alternative format, such as large print, audio or a different language, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help.