Freedom of Information
Introduction to Freedom of Information Requests
To complete a Freedom of Information Request please complete the online form.
Introduction
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 ("the FOIA") gives the public extensive rights of access to information held by the Council.
The FOIA supplements existing legislation requiring openness in Council business.
The Council's Publication Scheme under the FOIA
Since 2003 the Council has adopted and maintained a Publication Scheme under the FOIA. With effect from January 2009 the Council adopted the model Publication Scheme produced by the Information Commissioners Office. It contains a structured list of the types of information to which the public can have access. It also explains how information can be obtained and what you will be charged.
The Council also maintains a List of Publication Scheme Documents. Many of these documents can be downloaded free of charge.
FOIA - Obtaining Specific Information not covered in the Publication Scheme
Since January 2005 the FOIA has given the public a new general right of access to Council information (with some exemptions), when that information is not available under the Publication Scheme. The Council has put in place procedures for members of the public to obtain such specific information and also applicable charges for providing such information. Details about this general right of access can be found on the Information Commissioner's Office website or on the Department for Constitutional Affairs website. Please see our Useful Websites.
Our downloads section
If you would like to see all of the documents that are available to download on our website please see our Downloads section. Here you can find all the documents that come under the Publication Scheme and details of the procedures. Alternatively you can view all our documents by classification. Click here to view them in this way.
Last updated: 10th October 2011