holding local government to account

where should you begin when looking for a story about the local authority?

the councils website

it contains

• useful information

• access to legal documents

• meeting information

• financial data

what must each local authority publish under the local government act 2000?

a council constitution which must be available for public inspection

• available on the councils website

what are the key items that must be included in the councils constitution

1. councillor allowances

2. public rights to access meetings

3. overview and scrutiny committee arrangements

4. membership of committees and subcommittees

5. names and addresses of executive members

6. register of members interest

7. council standing orders

8. council code of conduct

who us responsible for overseeing the conduct system within councils?

the monitoring officer, often supported by a standards committee

what is the role of the local government ombudsman?

to investigate complaints maladministration

which meetings must be open to the public and journalists under the localism act 2011?

1. cabinet meetings

2. full council meetings

3. committee meetings

4. subcommittee meetings

5. overview and scrutiny meetings

when can the public and press be excluded from a meeting?

when confidential or exempt information is being discussed

what is exempt information?

personal or commercially sensitive information, such as commercial contracts

what is confidential information?

information provided by governments departments or where disclosure is prohibited by law or the courts

when can cabinet meetings be held in private?

• if public presence would breach legal obligation to third parties

• to maintain a orderly conduct or prevent misbehaviour

what rights does the local audit and accountability act 2014 give to the press and public?

the right to:

• blog

• tweet

• film

• audio record public council meetings

what must councils do if someone interferes with the conduct of the meeting?

• allow it, as long as it does not interfere with the conduct of the meeting

• inform attendees as a courtesy

• journalists should liaise with officers beforehand

can citizen journalists tweet or post about meetings?

yes. citizen journalists should support this and can be asked what facilities they provide for citizen journalists

what advance notice must be given before a public meeting?

• five days notice

• items must appear on the agenda five days before the meeting otherwise they cant be discussed

what can you inspect under the accounts and audit regulations?

• councils detailed financial accounts

• books, deeds, contracts etc.

when can financial records be inspected?

for 20 working days before the accounts are audited

what spending information must councils publish?

• transactions over £500

• senior salaries

• organisational charts

• contracts

• locations of public land and assets

what protection do journalists have when reporting on council meetings?

reports of:

• public meetings

• agendas

• minutes

• reports

are protected by qualified privilege

what conditions must be met for qualified privilege to apply?

the report must be:

• fair

• accurate

• published without malice

• in the public interest