Retention Policy
To receive any of the documents on the website in a Word or pdf version where possible, please contact the Parish Clerk
Thorpe on the Hill Parish Council
Records Retention Policy
1. Introduction
The Parish Council recognises 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 association. This document provides the policy framework through which this effective management can be achieved and audited.
It covers:
• Scope
• Responsibilities
• Retention Schedule
2. Scope
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 records may be selected for permanent preservation as part of the Councils archives and for historical research.
3. 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 Parish Clerk. The person responsible for records management will give guidance for good records management practice and will promote compliance with this policy so that information will be retrieved easily, appropriately and timely.
Individual staff and employees must ensure that records for which they are responsible are accurate, and are maintained and disposed of in accordance with The Parish Council’s records management guidelines.
4. Retention Schedule
The retention schedule refers to record series regardless of the media in which they are stored. Some documents may be put onto the Parish Website however the master copy is stored within the Parish Council files.
Document Minimum Retention Period Reason
Minutes
Minutes of Council meetings Indefinite Archive
Minutes of committee meetings Indefinite Archive
Employment
Staff employment contracts 6 years after ceasing employment Management
Staff payroll information 3 years Management
Staff references 6 years after ceasing employment Management
Application forms (interviewed – unsuccessful) 6 months Management
Application forms (interviewed – successful) 6 years after ceasing employment Management
Disciplinary files 6 years after ceasing employment Management
Staff appraisals 6 years after ceasing employment Management
Finance
Scales of fees and charges 6 years Management
Receipt and payment accounts Indefinitely Archive
Bank statements Last completed audit year Audit
Cheque book stubs Last completed audit year Audit
Paid invoices Last completed audit year VAT
Paid cheques Last completed audit year Limitation Act 1980
VAT records 6 years generally but 20 years for VAT on rent Archive
Investments Indefinite Audit
Payroll records 3 years HMRC
Title deeds, leases, contracts Indifinite Tax, VAT, Limitations Act 1980
Insurance
Insurance policies 6 years after policy end Management
Certificates for Insurance against liability for employees 6 years after policy end Management
Certificates for Public 6 years after policy end Management
Certificates for Insurance against liability for employees 40 years from date on which insurance commenced or was renewed The Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Regulations 1998, Management
Health and Safety
Accident books 3 years from date of last entry Statutory
Risk assessment 3 years Management
General Management
Councillors contact details Duration of membership Management
Lease agreements 12 years Limitation Act 1980
Contracts 6 years Limitation Act 1980
Email messages At end of useful life Management
Consent forms 5 years Management
GDPR Security Compliance form Duration of membership Management
Version number Purpose/change Author Date
0.1 Initial draft LSS 20/02/2018
0.2 Reference to website storage and changes to L.Gov policy Parish Clerk 26/03/2021
Review as required.