The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities issued the Local Government Transparency Code 2015 (the Code) which came into effect on 1st April 2015. The Code was issued through powers under Section 2 of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 and replaces any previous codes issued in relation to local authorities in England under those powers
The aim of the Code, which can be found here, is to increase transparency through publication of open and reusable data enabling taxpayers to see how local authorities are using public money
The Code does not replace, or supersede, the existing framework for access to public sector information provided by the:-
The Code applies to Town and Parish Councils which a gross income or expenditure in excess of £200,000
Winsford Town Council provides some information below but also elsewhere on this website
Under the below headers, information and data will be published at least quarterly by the Town Council. Under the Data Protection Act 2018, personal data will be redacted if it can identify an individual
Where contracts are awarded through a tender process and the value exceeds £50,000, the data will be published upon project delivery
The Council publishes expenditure over £500 including supplier and transaction information – this can be found here
The Council’s expenditure for each financial year can be found via the schedules of payments presented monthly to Council. These can be found on the meetings page at https://winsford.gov.uk/meetings/
Grants and donations to voluntary, community and faith sector organisations
As part of its ongoing commitment to the local community and voluntary sector, the Town Council offers grants throughout each financial year to support groups, activities and projects organised to benefit the people of Winsford. Details of grants awarded can be found on the agenda pages of Council at https://winsford.gov.uk/meetings/
Employees
The Code requires local authorities to publish details (including job descriptions, responsibilities and staff numbers) of any senior employees earning over £50,000 per annum.
Winsford Town Council currently has one employee earning over this amount.
An annual budget is set aside for the Mayor of Winsford to draw upon for expenses incurred whilst attending civic functions during their term of office.
Councillors may claim expenses such as mileage.
Local authorities must also publish details of any contract, commissioned activity, purchase order, framework agreement and any other legally enforceable agreement with a value that exceeds £5,000.
For each contract, the following details must be published:
Details of contracts currently in place above the value of £5,000 can be found here.
Invitations to tender and quote are sometimes issued for goods and services over £5,000.
Tenders will be published at https://winsford.gov.uk/tenders/
In order to ensure transparency and reasonableness, the following items are included on the Council’s Asset Register whether they have been gifted, purchased or otherwise acquired by the Town Council together with their location.
These may include:-
The Town Councils policies and governance documents can be found at https://winsford.gov.uk/policies/
A copy of the Town Council’s budget will be published annually. Winsford Town Council is funded through the precept, which is collected along with your council tax.
A copy of the 2026/27 Budget can be found here.
In accordance with the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015, Councils are required to have an annual and mid-year internal audit. The Internal Auditor is appointed by Council who evaluate and review the Councils risk management, controls and governance. The Councils current Internal Auditor is JDH Business Services.
A copy of the latest Internal Audit Report can be found at https://winsford.gov.uk/dates-for-the-exercise-of-public-rights-2025-26/
The Annual Return and Annual Governance Accountability Return must be submitted by the Council to the government appointed External Auditor each year. The current nationally appointed External Auditor is PKF Littlejohn LLP.
Copies of these can be found at https://winsford.gov.uk/external-audit-of-winsford-town-council-accounts-2024-25-closure-notice/
All Council and Committee minutes can be found at https://winsford.gov.uk/meetings/
Winsford Town Council has Standing Orders in place which can be found at https://winsford.gov.uk/policies/
Winsford Town Council does not provide any social housing or own any social housing stock.
There are no waste collection contracts managed by Winsford Town Council.
If you are unable to find the information you wish to see, please contact: mail@winsford.gov.uk