This document sets out Barnet Council’s Retention Schedule. The retention schedule classifies council documents and sets how long they need to be stored before they can be destroyed. The retention schedule applies to all records irrespective of the format in which they are maintained or the format on which they are held. Barnet Council is required by the Code of Practice on the Management of Records issued under Section 46 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to have and to implement a records retention and disposal schedule. This document sets out details about all the records created and kept by us. The Schedule sets out best practice regarding record retention and incorporates Retention guidelines and legislation pertaining to the records themselves. It is a live document that will be amended and modified as and when retention details change, new information is kept, or regulations and legislation that govern information and its use are changed. The Council stores a vast amount of information. The schedule creates best practice by: Identifying records that may be worth preserving permanently. Prevention of premature destruction of records that need retaining for a specified period to satisfy legal, financial, and other requirements of public administration. Allowing consistency for the destruction of those records not required permanently. Ensures the Council does not hold on to information or records for longer than necessary. This Retention Schedule is proactively published every 2 years, if you have any specific questions about any entries on the schedule - please contact data.protection@barnet.gov.uk as they are subject to change.