GOVERNMENT OF BERMUDA
Ministry of Tourism, Transport, Culture and Sport
PATI Information Statement
Name of Public Authority: Smiths Parish Council (“the Council”)
Introduction
The purpose of the Public Access to Information Act 2010 is to make public authorities more accountable and open by giving the public access to information, subject to exceptions that are in the public interest. An information statement is required from each Authority, which provides an overview of the information, which is accessible, improving the efficiency of public administration and strengthening public trust.
This statement provides key information on structure, functions, and powers; services and programs; information held, grouped into decision-making, administrative or other records, further information (includes financial), the contact details for the information officer and locations of the information statement.
Section A: Structure, Organisation and Legislation [s5(1)a]
Structure/Organisation: Constitution of Parish Councils:
1. Each Parish Council shall consist of twelve members, each of whom shall be appointed by the Governor by notice in the Gazette.
2. Any person appointed to be a member of a Parish Council shall hold office during the Governor's pleasure and, unless his appointment is earlier terminated, it shall be deemed to terminate on the expiration of three years from the date upon which such appointment took effect.
3. A person may be re-appointed as a member of a Parish Council on the termination of his appointment under subsection (2).
4. There shall be a Chairperson of each Parish Council who shall be appointed by the Governor from among the members of the Council and shall hold office as such during the Governor's pleasure.
5. The Chairperson or any other member of a Parish Council may at any time resign his office by notice in writing addressed to the Governor and such resignation shall take effect from the date of the receipt of such notice by the Governor.
6. Parish Council shall be deemed to be properly constituted notwithstanding that there is a vacancy in the office of Chairperson or any other member.
7. A person shall not be eligible for appointment as a member of a Parish Council unless:
(a) he possesses Bermudian status;
(b) he has attained the age of eighteen years; and
(c) he is ordinarily resident within the parish concerned.
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Legislation: Parish Council Act 1971
There shall be established a Parish Council for each parish which shall have the powers and duties conferred or imposed upon a Parish Council by this Act and any other statutory provision.
Each Parish Council shall be a body corporate having perpetual succession and a common seal and shall have the power to acquire, hold and dispose of moveable and immoveable property of any kind, to enter into contracts, to sue and be sued in its corporate name and to do all things necessary for the purpose of its functions.
Section B: 1) Functions, powers, duties of the Authority [s5(1)b]
1. To bring to the attention of the Minister any matter affecting the general welfare of persons resident in the parish;
2. To consider and advise on any matter which may be referred to the Parish Council by the Minister;
3. subject to the general direction and control of the Minister, to provide and maintain places of recreation and recreational facilities, to preserve and improve the general amenities of the parish and generally to promote the well-being of persons resident in the parish;
4. To hold in trust for the residents of the parish the parochial funds and other property transferred to the Parish Council in pursuance of the First Schedule and to employ the same for the purposes of paragraph (above) in such manner the Council may, subject to that paragraph, determine;
5. To maintain and administer any parish rest home in the parish;
6. To maintain the parish records transferred to the Parish Council in pursuance of paragraph 9 of the First Schedule (of the Act); and
7. To give effect to any directions given by the Minister under section 6 (of the Act).
Section B: 2) Obligations under PATI Act [s5(1)b]
• To provide an information statement for the public and promulgate it [s5],
• To provide other information to the public so that the public needs only to have minimum resort to the use of the Act to obtain information [s6]. This includes:
o General information, e.g., activities of the Authority
o Log of all information requests and their outcome
o Quarterly expenditure (upon request) [s6(5)]
o Contracts valued at $50,000 or more.
• To respond to information requests in a timely manner [s12-16]
• To track information requests, and provide this data to the Information Commissioner
• To respond to requests from the Information Commissioner [s9]
• To amend personal information held by the Authority that it is wrong or misleading following a written request by the person to whom the information relates [s19]
• To conduct an internal review if formally requested [part 5]
• To give evidence for review by the Information Commissioner [part 6, 47(4)], or for judicial review [s49], if required
• To provide an annual written report to the Information Commissioner on the status of information requests [s58 (3)].
• To do anything else as required under the PATI Act and subsequent Regulations [s59, 60], including:
o Fees for Requests for information
o Management and maintenance of records
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o Procedures for administering the Act
• To train staff and make arrangements to facilitate compliance with the Act [s61]
• To designate one of its officers to be the person to whom requests are directed [s62]
Section C: Services and Programmes [s5(1)c]
In keeping with the functions, powers, and duties of the Council (outlined above), a summary of services and programmes provided by the Council and its goals is as follows:
Services and Programmes:
a. The Council seeks to offer two annual scholarships. The scholarship will be provided to residents of Smith's Parish pursuing further education. Two successful recipients will receive a $2500 scholarship to assist with tuition and ancillary expenses for the qualifying academic year. The applicants should be well-rounded students, who show a consistent effort educationally, a commitment to their professional aspirations, and can demonstrate a sense of responsibility for their community. The applicants for the scholarship must reside (or have been raised) and be residents of Smiths parish.
b. The Council provides donations to local organisations with charitable aims.
c. The Council holds an annual public meeting and invites speakers to present on relevant topics.
d. Receives resident queries, responds accordingly, and/or directs the resident to the relevant stakeholder.
Goals:
a. The Council seeks to hold more public meetings to engage the Smith’s parish residents.
b. The Council seeks to foster more relationships with local businesses.
c. The Council seeks to create more fund-raising opportunities to generate income.
d. In the future, the Council seeks to collaborate with other Parish Councils.
Section D: Records and Documents held [s5(1)d]
• Minutes of Council meetings
• Accounting/Finance Records, including Annual Financial Statements (audited)
Most documents are held in electronic and paper form. Minutes are circulated to the Council members electronically. An annual report is produced and submitted to the Ministry each year.
Section E: Administration (all public access) manuals [s5(1)e]
There are no administration manuals.
Section F: Decision-making documents [s5(1)f]
The Council is guided by the Act. All decisions made by the Council must meet the required quorum and are voted on.
Section G: The Information Officer [s5(1) g]
Ms Tanecia Barnett Burgess
Email: smithsparishcouncil@gmail.com
Telephone: 599.1845
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Mailing address: P.O. Box FL343, Smiths FL BX
Section H: Any Other Information [s5(1)h]
1. The Council’s financial information is included in our Annual Reports.
2. The legislation listed may be found at www.bermudalaws.bm
3. The fees for the services and the remuneration of the Council members for services are governed by the following legislation:
a. Government Authorities (Fees) Act. This Act governs the remuneration of the body members for services. In brief, the Chairperson receives $100, and other members receive $50 per meeting.
Section I: Any Other Information To be Provided? [s5(1)i]
N/A.
Section J: Information Statement: Copies and Updates [s5(2,3,4,5)]
Every public authority shall update its information statement at least once a year, and make it available for inspection by the public at reasonable times by [s5(1-5), PATI Act]:
Date Information Statement was reviewed: December 2025
Locations of Information Statement:
Your principal office
N/A
The Bermuda National Library
Y
The Bermuda Archives
Y
Available electronically
Y
Website for the public authority
N/A
Have you published a notice in the Gazette indicating the places where the information statement is available for the public?
In progress
With the Information Commissioner
Y
Sign and Date: 16th December 2025