Finance, Policy & Documents
Document Retention Policy & Schedule
Parish Councils create and receive a wide range of records in carrying out their statutory duties and delivering services to the local community.
This Document Retention Policy sets out how the Parish Council manages its records throughout their lifecycle, from creation and storage through to secure disposal or permanent preservation.
The accompanying retention schedule specifies the minimum periods for which different categories of records must be retained. These retention periods are based on legal requirements, operational needs, audit recommendations, and recognised best practice. Once the retention period has expired, records will be securely destroyed unless there is a legal reason to retain them for longer.
By maintaining an effective document retention policy, the Parish Council demonstrates its commitment to transparency, accountability, legal compliance, and the responsible stewardship of public records.
