Freedom of Information Act, 1997, 1 Ardee Town Commissioners
Coimisneiri Bhaile Atha Fhirdia
ARDEE TOWN COMMISSIONERS
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT,1997.
SECTIONS 15 & 16 MANUAL
This manual is prepared in accordance with publication requirements set out in section 15 & 16 of the Freedom of Information Act, 1997. It is intended as a practical guide to Ardee Town Commissioners to assist you in ascertaining the information that we hold and how you can access it. It is not a definitive description of all our services and should you require further details on any item, please contact the relevant section. Section 16 of the Act provides that the rules, guidelines and procedures used by the public body are published. They are included in this manual at the end of each section. Please be aware that any new legislation whether principle or delegated enacted after 21st October 1998 is not included. This manual however will be updated at a later stage.
Index to Manual
Section 15 & 16 manual Freedom of Information Act, 1997 2 Ardee Town Commissioners
1. ROLE OF ARDEE TOWN COMMISSIONERS ...... 3
HOW THE OPERATIONS OF THE LOCAL AUTHORITY ARE REGULATED...... 5 ACCOUNTABILITY ...... 5 2. STRUCTURE CHART OF ORGANISATION...... 6
3. ARDEE TOWN COMMISSIONERS, THE ELECTED MEMBERS ...... 6
4. LOCATION OF OFFICES, SERVICES, TELEPHONE NOS...... 7
5. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION - (GENERAL INTRODUCTION) ...... 8
THE ACT ESTABLISHED THREE NEW STATUTORY RIGHTS : ...... 9 THE ACT GIVES RIGHT OF ACCESS (SUBJECT TO EXEMPTIONS) TO : ...... 9 6. STATEMENT OF POLICY ON FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ...... 9
AND CONFIDENTIALITY...... 10
7. SPECIFICS OF OPERATION OF FREEDOM OF INFORMATION......
WITHIN THIS LOCAL AUTHORITY...... 11
8. PUBLIC ACCESS TO INFORMATION OUTSIDE THE ......
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT...... 14
ANNUAL PUBLICATIONS OF ARDEE TOWN COMMISSIONERS ALREADY AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC...... Abstract of accounts : ...... 19 Estimate of expenses : ...... 19 9. INDEX OF SERVICES...... 20
HOUSING MATTERS 20 1.1 Determination of housing rents...... 20
CONTRIBUTIONS TO VOLUNTARY BODIES ...... 20 MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES ...... 21 3.1 Refund of rates ...... 21 3.2 Irrecoverable rates 21 3.3 Listing of properties for Valuation Office ...... 22 3.4 Financial operations of Ardee Town Commissioners ...... 22 3.5 Value for money studies 25 3.6 Meetings of Ardee Town Commissioners 25 3.7 Payments to members 26 3.8 Representations on other bodies 26 11. FORMAT OF RECORDS HELD BY ARDEE TOWN COMMISSIONERS ...... 27
Section 152 & 16 manual Freedom of Information Act, 1997 3 Ardee Town Commissioners
1. Role of Ardee Town Commissioners
Ardee Town Commissioners are the local authority for Ardee. Louth County Council provide most of the services for the Town Commissioners functional area. The County Council provide an extensive range of infrastructural services. The Town Commissioners assist in the development of the town’s, social, arts, heritage and cultural affairs.
The Commission prides itself in its involvement with the many community and voluntary groups that seek to improve the quality of life through community and environmental initiatives.
Local authorities perform both a representational and an operational role because the Irish system of local government encompasses both democratic representation and public administration.
The representational role is performed directly by the elected members of the Commissioners. Ardee Town Commissioners have 9 elected members. Members are elected according to the system of proportional representation for a period of five years. The Chairman of the Commissioners is elected from the membership of the Commissioners at the statutory annual meeting of the Commissioners which is held in June/July of each year.
The wide range of functions performed by the elected representatives are called “reserved functions” and these lay down the framework of policy under which the County Manager, who is manager of the Town Commissioners, operates.
Such functions include ; adoption of annual Estimate of Expenses. making, amending and revoking bye-laws.
The Commissioners make their decision by “Resolution” at their meetings.
Section 153 & 16 manual Freedom of Information Act, 1997 4 Ardee Town Commissioners
The operational role of Ardee Town Commissioners is performed by the County Manager and the Town Clerk. They are responsible for the day to day administration of the Commissioners. The functions carried out by the County Manager are called “executive functions”.
The County Manager makes his decision by written “Managers Order”. In making his decision he must act in a way that is consistent with the policy that has been established by the elected members and have regard to their resolutions.
Services provided by Ardee Town Commissioners include the following:
Contributions to voluntary bodies Miscellaneous services
These include a number of imperatives which must be carried out by the Commissioners, for example :
Adoption annually of the Estimate of Expenses. Adoption annually of the Abstract of Accounts
Financing of these Services.
The main sources of funding for this expenditure are: Commercial Rates Goods and Services (e.g. Housing Rents & Annuities, fees and
How the operations of the local authority are regulated.
The operations of local authorities are regulated by
E.U. directives. National legislation Local legislation, i.e. Bye laws. Adopted policies of the Commissioners
Section 154 & 16 manual Freedom of Information Act, 1997 5 Ardee Town Commissioners
Accountability
The accounts of the local authority are subject to audit by the Local Government Auditor, who is employed by the Department of the Environment. Local authorities are also subject to investigation by the Ombudsman.
2. Structure Chart of Organisation.
Section 155 & 16 manual Freedom of Information Act, 1997 6 Ardee Town Commissioners
Co. Manager : Mr. John Quinlivan Town Clerk : Mr. Eugene McManus
The County Manager is the Chief Executive Officer of the Town Commissioners and has overall responsibility for the day to day operations of the Commissioners and for ensuring that the policies adopted by the elected members are implemented.
3. Ardee Town Commissioners, The elected members
The elected members of Ardee Town Commissioners:
Mr. Jimmy Bradley, 5, Lambe’s Tce., Ardee. Mr.Padraig McKenny, Dundalk Road, Ardee. Mr.Gerry Halpenny, 37, De La Salle Cres., Ardee Mr.Val Kerr, Irish Street, Ardee. Mr.Val Kerr, 37, Sliabh Breagh, Ardee. Mr.John Maguire, Moorehall, Ardee. Mr.Fintan Malone, 84, Cherrybrook, Ardee. Mr.Finnan McCoy, Riverstown, Ardee. Mr.Jim Tennanty, River Bank, Jervis St., Ardee
Section 156 & 16 manual Freedom of Information Act, 1997 7 Ardee Town Commissioners
4. Location of offices, services, telephone nos.
Headquarters of Ardee Town Commissioners -
Market House Square, Ardee.
County Manager (042)9335457 Town Clerk (041)6856083
Section 157 & 16 manual Freedom of Information Act, 1997 8 Ardee Town Commissioners
5. Freedom of Information - (General Introduction)
The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act was introduced :
to enable members of the Public to obtain access to official information, to the greatest extent possible, consistent with the public interest and the right to privacy.
to enable persons to have personal information relating to them, in the possession of public bodies, corrected.
to provide, for the right of access to records held by public bodies.
to provide for necessary exceptions to that right
to provide for assistance to persons to enable them to exercise this right.
to provide for the independent review, both of decisions of public bodies relating to that right and of the operation of this Act generally (including the proceedings of such bodies pursuant to this Act and for those purposes, to provide for the establishment of the Office of Information Commissioner and to define its functions.
to provide for the publication by public bodies of certain information about them, relevant to the purposes of this Act.
to amend the Official Secrets Act. 1963.
to provide for related matters.
Section 158 & 16 manual Freedom of Information Act, 1997 9 Ardee Town Commissioners
The Act established three new statutory rights :
A legal right for each person to access information held by public bodies.
A legal right for each person to have official information relating to him/herself amended where it is incomplete, incorrect or misleading.
A legal right to obtain reasons for decisions affecting oneself.
The Act gives right of access (subject to exemptions) to :
all records created after commencement of this Act i.e. 21st April 1998, or in the case of local authorities and Health Boards, i.e. Ardee Town Commissioners, 21st October 1998.
such records created before that date as may be required to understand records created after commencement of the Act.
personal records, regardless of when created.
In the case of staff members, personnel records created from a date 3 years before commencement of the Act.
6. Statement of policy on freedom of information and confidentiality
Section 159 & 16 manual Freedom of Information Act, 1997 10 Ardee Town Commissioners
Ardee Town Commissioners
Freedom of information arrangements.
Statement of policy on freedom of information
Ardee Town Commissioner’s policy is to give members of the public, access to information held by this authority, to the greatest extent possible, in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, 1997, and consistent with the public interest and the right to privacy of the individual.
Ardee Town Commissioner’s policy on information received in confidence
Any information provided to Ardee Town Commissioners may be disclosed in response to a request under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act, 1997, where the public interest value of releasing such information is deemed to outweigh the right of privacy.
However the Commissioners reserve the right to refuse access where it is felt that the release would have an adverse affect on the performance by the body of any of it’s statutory functions. (Section 21). When information is given in confidence to Ardee Town Commissioners we will endeavour to protect that information under Section 26 and 29 of this act.
(As approved by Louth local authorities steering committee of 27/05/98).
7. Specifics of operation of freedom of information within this local authority.
* As per the statement of policy on freedom of information and
Section 1510 & 16 manual Freedom of Information Act, 1997 11 Ardee Town Commissioners confidentiality, it would be hoped that any requests would be dealt with as expeditiously and as informally as possible.
* If a person still feels that his/her request has not been answered to their satisfaction, they may choose to make a formal request for freedom of information.
* To make a formal request for freedom of information, the application should be directed to Ardee Town Commissioners and should state that the request is being made under the Freedom of Information Act. (This is the only requirement for a valid application)
Applications for information under this Act should be addressed to :
Ardee Town Commissioners, Phone : (041)6856083 Market House Square, Ardee, Co.Louth.
A request will be acknowledged within 2 weeks and a decision will then be given by a dedicated decision maker within 4 weeks of receipt of application.
Reasons will be given in writing for refusal or partial refusal.
If no decision is given within that four week period, a refusal is assumed.
Records may be accessed and given to the applicant by various methods, i.e. a copy, transcript, computer disc etc.
CHARGES
Personal Information £16.50 per hour (or part thereof) for search Requests and retrieval time equal to, or greater than 1 hour.
No charge for search and retrieval time less
Section 1511 & 16 manual Freedom of Information Act, 1997 12 Ardee Town Commissioners
than 1 hour.
Non-Personal Information £16.50 per hour (or part thereof) for search Requests and retrieval time of 15 minutes or more.
Photocopying 3p per sheet where amount produced exceeds 35 sheets.
Note: If the estimate for the amount payable by a requester exceeds £40 a deposit of £20 must be paid in advance of dealing with the request.
A waiver of fees may also apply in certain cases:
Where the cost of collecting and accounting for the fee would exceed the amount payable. Where the information would be of particular assistance to the understanding of an issue of national importance. In the case of personal information, where such charges would not be reasonable, having regard to the means of the requester.
Freedom of Information Act, 1997 - Appeal Arrangements
There are considerable appeal arrangements set in place under this act to review decisions of local authorities.
* The decision of Ardee Town Commissioners to refuse to grant access to information, or to grant only partial access is appealable first to the County Secretary. This appeal must be made within four weeks of the original decision and the appeal decision must be made within three weeks. If the original decision was actually made by the County Secretary the appeal is directly to the Information Commissioner.
* The decision of the appeal to the County Secretary is again appealable to the Information Commissioner and this appeal must be made within 6 months of the appeal decision. The Information Commissioner has four months to determine his decision.
* The decision of the Information Commissioner can be appealed to the High Court on a point of law only.
Appeals therefore should be directed to the offices below.
County Secretary Office of the Information
Section 1512 & 16 manual Freedom of Information Act, 1997 13 Ardee Town Commissioners
Commissioner, Louth County Council, 18, Lower Leeson Street, Crowe Street, Dublin 2. Dundalk.
Phone : (042)9335457 (01) 6785222 Fax : (042)9334549 (01) 6610570
(The process is illustrated in diagrammatic format below.)
Initial formal request decided by.
Town Clerk Mr. Eugene McManus.
Internal Review adjudicated by County Secretary, Mr. Joe Boland.
Final Appeal to Information Commissioner
* If any of the above positions become vacant, the person appointed to the office, whether in an acting or permanent nature will deal with the request.
8. Public access to Information outside the Freedom of Information legislation.
Almost all the local authority functions relating to the Ardee Town Commissioner are administered by Louth County Council.
Louth County Council has a wide range of information, routinely available in the form of leaflets, public notices etc., in relation to its activities and to the services that it provides. Such information will continue to be available from the offices of the Council, without the need to use the Freedom of Information
Section 1513 & 16 manual Freedom of Information Act, 1997 14 Ardee Town Commissioners
Act.
Information available under other legislation. The public already enjoys the right to a range of information under other legislation, e.g. Planning & Environment legislation. This right will remain unchanged and such information is specifically excluded from the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.
The Data Protection Act, 1988:
Louth County Council is registered as a data controller under the Data Protection Act, 1988. The provisions of this Act still apply in relation to computerised data, and a request in relation to such data, may be made under either The Data Protection Act, 1988, or The Freedom of Information Act, 1997.
The Freedom of Information Act is designed to allow public access to information which is not routinely available through other sources. Access to information under the Act is subject to certain exemptions and involves specific procedures and time limits.
Section 1514 & 16 manual Freedom of Information Act, 1997 15 Ardee Town Commissioners
The planning process The County development plan and town development plan for Ardee is available in the planning section, Louth County Council for inspection and purchase for a standard fee between the hours of 9.00 to 12.45 and 2.00 to 4.45pm.
The planning register is open for public inspection, free of charge at the planning office. It is comprised of both a list of all planning applications received and a map indicating the location of all applications.
Notice of every planning application received by Louth County Council and dates of receipt are put on display at the planning office, and in the four branch libraries in the County including Ardee Library.
When an application has been submitted, any person is entitled to view, free of charge, all documents, drawings, third party submissions and specifications submitted with the application, during the period when the application is being considered by Louth County Council, (i.e. between date of receipt of application and date of decision).
The full file including internal reports is available for public inspection for a period of 5 years from the date of granting of a permission or approval. (Article 36 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Regulations, 1994.)
In the case of a planning application that is refused the full file is available for inspection for a period of one month to allow consideration be given to a possible appeal to An Bord Pleanala. If no appeal is lodged the full file is no longer available for inspection.
If a planning application is granted by Louth County Council but is subsequently turned down on appeal by An Bord Pleanala, that full file is also no longer available for inspection.
Planning files more than five years old are available for inspection in the planning office. Access would be available to plans, specifications and original application form plus the subsequent decision including conditions or reasons for refusal.
Copies of these decisions may be obtained for a standard fee. Copies of the plans are not available as they are not the property of Louth County Council. However, please note again that this facility applies only to decisions to grant. In cases where an environmental impact statement is
Section 1515 & 16 manual Freedom of Information Act, 1997 16 Ardee Town Commissioners submitted with a planning application, a copy of it, or an extract from it, may be purchased at a reasonable cost of reproduction.
Building control process.
Register of commencement notices. This register contains details of all commencement notices received, advising Louth County Council of any proposed building works. This may be inspected in the Building Control Section, County Offices, The Crescent, Dundalk during normal office hours.
Register of fire safety certificates. This register contains details of all applications to Louth County Council, as the building control authority. This may be inspected at the planning office during the stated opening hours.
Derelict sites register. This register contains details of any properties that have been entered on the register of derelict sites in Co.Louth. This may be inspected in the Building Control Section, County Offices, The Crescent, Dundalk during normal office hours.
Housing section
Register of private rented dwellings. This register contains details of properties that have been registered with Louth County Council as private rented dwellings.
Estate management
The three authorities in Louth, Louth C.C., Dundalk U.D.C. and Drogheda B.C. have jointly published their proposals for estate management in local authority developments. The proposals may be inspected at any of the three housing offices.
Section 1516 & 16 manual Freedom of Information Act, 1997 17 Ardee Town Commissioners
General purposes section
Electoral register;
The register of electors is compiled by Louth County Council for all Louth local authorities. The register may be inspected at any time at any of the following locations:-
Louth County Council, County Offices, Dundalk Motor Taxation Office, The Crescent, Dundalk Town Clerks Office, Dundalk U.D.C., Town Hall, Dundalk Town Clerks Office, Drogheda B.C., Fair Street, Drogheda Garda Station, Dundalk Garda Station, Drogheda General Post Office, Dundalk General Post Office, Drogheda Relevant sections of the register are also available at each local Garda Station and post office.
Copies of sections of the register may be purchased and the full version may be purchased at the County Offices, Dundalk at a cost of £71.50, which may be subject to change.
At draft register stage the public are invited through public advertisement to inspect the register annually to ensure that they are satisfied with its contents.
Register of hackney licences. This register contains details of all hackney licences issued to vehicles by Louth County Council. This register may be inspected in the General Purposes Section, County Offices, Crowe Street, Dundalk, between the hours of 9.00am to 1.00pm and 2.00pm to 5.00pm.
Environmental section
Under the Access to Information on the Environment Regulations, 1993, subject to certain exceptions, information relating to the environment held by a local authority must be made available on request to any person.
A request for such information should be made in writing and forwarded
Section 1517 & 16 manual Freedom of Information Act, 1997 18 Ardee Town Commissioners
to the office of the County Secretary, County Offices, Dundalk.
Louth County Council may charge a fee to cover reasonable costs involved in supplying the information.
The applicant must receive a reply within one month from receipt of request.
Louth County Council may also seek additional time to deal with the request, but will advise the applicant within the month if that is the case.
A refusal or partial refusal is can be appealed to the Office of the Ombudsman.
Waste management plan. The current waste management plan may be inspected at the Environment Section, County Offices, The Crescent, Dundalk during normal office hours of 9.00am to 1.00pm and 2.00pm to 5.00pm.
It is proposed to prepare a new waste plan on completion of the Waste Management Study currently being carried out for the North East region counties of Monaghan, Cavan and Louth by Tobin Environmental Services Ltd.. It is hoped that a draft document may be available in September/October and perhaps in final form in December 1998. Public notice will be given when the plan is available for viewing.
Register of licences allowing discharge of effluent
Louth County Council maintains a register of all pollution licences issued to both waters and sewers. The register relates to all licences issued for discharges to waters in the County and to sewers in the County area. Non-domestic discharges to sewers in the urban areas are licensed by the urban authorities The register is available for inspection at the Environment Section again during normal office hours.
Publications of Ardee Town Commissioners already available to the public
Abstract of accounts.
Section 1518 & 16 manual Freedom of Information Act, 1997 19 Ardee Town Commissioners
Ardee Town Commissioners must publish an abstract of accounts within twelve weeks of the end of the calendar year. Prior to an audit of accounts by the local government auditor, a notice is published advising the public of the commencement of the audit. Copies of the audited abstract are available for purchase.
Estimate of expenses.
The annual estimates meeting of Louth County Council is held between October 1st and November 15th each year. Notice of the meeting to consider the estimate of expenses is published in local papers not less than seven days before the meeting is held. Copies of the estimate may be both inspected or purchased, again for a nominal fee at the Finance Office during the specified period.
Annual report.
Louth County Council publish an annual report in conjunction with Dundalk U.D.C., Drogheda B.C., Ardee Town Commissioners and Dundalk Joint Burial Board not later than 30th of June each year, detailing their activities in the previous year. This report is available in all the Louth local authorities
Rate Books.
The rate books for County Louth which include an Ardee town charge for properties in that area, are open for inspection, annually for a 14 day period prior to the making of the rate each year.
These books show the rateable valuations of properties, the rate in the pound and the proposed changes in the rate books. The books may be inspected at the accounts office during the specified period. The relevant dates are published in the local press.
Section 1519 & 16 manual Freedom of Information Act, 1997 20 Ardee Town Commissioners
9. Index of Services.
Listed below is a list of the Services provided by Ardee Town Commissioners.
1. Housing matters. 2. Contributions to Voluntary Bodies 3. Miscellaneous
Because Louth County Council provide almost all of the local authority services to the town of Ardee, the County version of this document should also be consulted.
1. Maintenance, repair & administration of housing
1.1 Determination of housing tenant purchase rate.
1.1 Determination of tenant purchase rate.
Currently 1 local authority dwellings is being purchased by it’s tenants. This dwelling is being purchased the tenant purchase schemes promoted by Government.
2. Contributions to voluntary bodies
An annual scheme of amenity grants is administered each year by the Ardee Town Commissioners. Grants are given to residential groups in the town, on receipt of valid applications and details of same are available from the offices of Ardee Town Commissioners.
Section 1520 & 16 manual Freedom of Information Act, 1997 21 Ardee Town Commissioners
3. Miscellaneous services
3.1 Refund of rates. 3.2 Irrecoverable rates. 3.3 Listing of properties to the Valuation Office. 3.4 Financial operations of Ardee Town Commissioners 3.5 Value for money studies. 3.6 Meeting of Ardee Town Commissioners. 3.7 Payments to members. 3.8 Representations on other bodies.
3.1 Refund of rates Louth County Council will issue a refund of rates paid, were the property is liable for rates but was actually vacant on the date that the actual rate was struck. There is an annual allocation in the estimates for this purpose.
All properties that actually fall into this category must pay their rates due, before applying for a refund.
Details and application forms are available from Margaret O’Shaughnessy, rate's office or any of the revenue collectors.
This function is determined by Section 14, Local Government Act, 1946.
3.2 Irrecoverable rates At the end of the rate year, which is January to December, the County Manager reviews all outstanding rates due. He has the power to strike some or part of these amounts off or to carry the amounts forward as arrears for the new year.
There is an annual provision in the Estimates for these irrecoverable amounts.
This function is determined by Local Government Act, 1946.
3.3 Listing of properties to the Valuation Office
Commercial properties are liable for rates and an annual demand is served by the local authority. When new development takes place the local authority refer
Section 1521 & 16 manual Freedom of Information Act, 1997 22 Ardee Town Commissioners details of the property to the Valuation Office.
The Valuation Office then inspect the particular property. In Louth County Council’s case, the Valuation Office respond annually in August with their decisions. Property owners may themselves seek a revision on payment of the prescribed fee, which is currently £100.
Decisions of the Valuation Office in relation to the revisions of valuation are immediately appealable to the Valuation Office through Louth County Council. The subsequent decision of the Valuation Office is also appealable to the Valuation Tribunal, which is an independent specialist tribunal. Procedures on how to appeal are included with every decision notification issued.
A newspaper notice is also published locally with every issue of decisions from the Valuation Office. This notice also outlines all appeal arrangements. It is imperative that any person not satisfied with the initial decision lodges their appeal within the specified time. If they do not they are precluded from any further appeal facility.
This function is determined by Valuation Acts, 1852-1988.
3.4 Financial operations of Ardee Town Commissioners All local authorities are strictly controlled by law on how they administer their financial affairs. This is through a combination of specific legislation and the controls of the elected members.
The annual estimate of expenses prepared by the County Manager outlines his proposed expenditure for the following year. This must be adopted by the elected members at the annual estimates meeting. The members are free to reject the manager’s proposals or make variations. This statutory meeting is held each year between 1st October and 15th November. Copies of the estimate may be both inspected or purchased (for a nominal fee).
The abstract of accounts is prepared at the end of each financial year on a receipt and expenditure basis in respect of the revenue account and on a receipts and payments basis in respect of the capital account. The abstract is prepared within 12 weeks of the end of the financial year.
This abstract of accounts is subject to audit by the Local Government Auditor
Section 1522 & 16 manual Freedom of Information Act, 1997 23 Ardee Town Commissioners who is appointed by the Minister of Environment and Local Government. Notice of the commencement of the audit is published and members of the public are entitled to bring to the attention of the auditor any item of the accounts that they believe to be incorrect. The audited abstract may be purchased from the Commissioners by any person.
This function is determined by Standards for books, accounts and records. Public Bodies Order, 1946. Public Bodies (Amendment) Order, 1977.
Power to borrow money and authorise overdraft facilities. Local Government (No.2) Act, 1960.
Dates for estimates meeting Public Bodies (Amendment) Order, 1983. Department of Environment Circular, Fin. 16/98 Requirement to prepare Estimate of Expenses. City & County Management (Amendment) Act, 1955. Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act, 1978. Local Government (Financial Provisions) No.2 Act, 1983. Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act, 1997.
Contd. Local Government Superannuation Act, 1991. Local Government Act, 1994. Public Bodies Orders, 1946-93.
Co-ordination of accounts & procedures Local Government Act, 1941. Officers Regulations, 1943. County Management Acts, 1940-42. Public Assistance Act, 1939.
Section 1523 & 16 manual Freedom of Information Act, 1997 24 Ardee Town Commissioners
Abstract of Accounts Public Bodies Orders, 1946-93. Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act, 1997 Audit of Accounts Public Bodies Order, 1946.
Sale of Land Section 83, Local Government Act, 1946.
Payment for goods and services Public Bodies Order, 1946-1993. Local Government Act, 1991 Prompt Payment of Accounts Act, 1997.
Tax clearance Department of Finance Circular, BC 5/95. Department of Finance Circular, BC22/95. (Non-resident Contractor) Withholding tax Revenue Commissioner’s Explanatory Notes for Principal Contractor. Construction Tax Revenue Commissioner’s Explanatory Notes for Principal Contractor
Purchase of goods and services Public Bodies Order, 1946-93. E.U. tender requirements. Sec. 15, City & County Management Act, 1955. (Tender Scheme) Local policy on purchase of goods & services.(18/02/98).
New funding arrangements Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act, 1997.
3.5 Value for money A value for money unit has been established within the Louth local authorities in line with Department of Environment and Local Government thinking on this subject.
The section carries out the traditional county checking functions previously administered by the county checker under the Public Bodies Order, 1946. They also carry out broader studies of the Council’s activities in an attempt to improve the efficiency of the Louth local authorities.
Section 1524 & 16 manual Freedom of Information Act, 1997 25 Ardee Town Commissioners
Both the urban authorities fall within the area of operation of this section. Queries should be addressed to Mr. Jim Duffy, Value for Money section.
This function is determined by Local Government Act, 1991. Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act, 1997
3.6 Meetings of Ardee Town Commissioners The members of Ardee Town Commissioners have the following meetings during the course of any year;
A statutory annual meeting, A statutory estimates meeting, Monthly meetings except for the month of August.
These meetings are generally held in the Market Square House, Ardee. The meetings are chaired by the Chairperson and are attended by the members, the County Manager, the Town Clerk and other relevant members of staff.
Meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 7.30 in the Council chamber.
Unfortunately these meetings are not open to the public according to standing orders although deputations are received subject to approval.
This function is determined by Meetings Article 35, Applications of Enactment’s Order, 1898. Section 62, Local Government Act, 1955. City & County Management Act, 1955, (Statutory Estimates Meeting). Louth County Council Standing Order for Meetings of Council. Committees of Council City & County Management (Amendment) Act, 1955. Section 27, Local Government (Reorganisation) Act, 1985. Local Government Act, 1991.
3.7 Payments to members
Section 1525 & 16 manual Freedom of Information Act, 1997 26 Ardee Town Commissioners
All elected members to local authorities are entitled to an annual expense allocation. Expenses caused by attendance at seminars, meetings and conferences are also paid by the Council.
This function is determined by Section 51, Local Government Act 1991. Local Government (Expenses of Local Authority Members) Regs., 1993. Local Government (Expenses of Local Authority Members)(Amend.)Reg’95 Department of Environment Circular, L.G. 42/2, 49/2, EL13/97. Department of Environment Handbook - new system of allowances for local authority members
3.8 Representation on other bodies Ardee Town Commissioners are represented on a wide variety of different bodies, some of this is statutory while others is invited. The list of bodies includes.
Louth Leader II Louth Task Force (Peace & Reconciliation). Louth County Council, Strategic Policy Committee on Planning and Development.
11. Format of records held by Ardee Town Commissioners
Ardee Town Commissioners hold a variety of records in various formats. These include ;
Paper Records. This includes all types of forms, reports, files and correspondence.
Ledgers/Registers.
Computer Printouts.
Section 1526 & 16 manual