Maintaining parish council records

Planning

• For successful applications keep the application, plans and decision notice until the development has been completed
• For unsuccessful applications keep papers until the period within which an appeal can be made has expired (ie, six months from the date of the planning decision)
• For controversial applications (whether successful or unsuccessful) the parish council may wish to retain the papers indefinitely

Circulars, etc, from other bodies

• County Association, National Association of Local Councils, etc: retain as long as useful and relevant

Magazines and journals

• Keep Local Council Review for at least five years, others as long as useful and relevant

Correspondence

• If related to audit matters, keep for the appropriate period specified in the previous chapter. 
• If related to planning matters, keep for the same period as suggested for planning applications
• For other correspondence, please contact us for advice

The volume of paperwork generated by all local authorities increased dramatically in the 1960s and has continued to grow.

All pre-1960 records are potential candidates for permanent preservation.

We are happy to advise you on the historical value of documents of any age.