FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000
PUBLICATION SCHEME
OF
GOSPORT BOROUGH COUNCIL
Town Hall
High Street
Gosport
P012 1EB
Introduction
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 gives a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities. This right of access will come into force in 2005.
The Act also requires public authorities which includes Gosport Borough Council to adopt and maintain a Publication Scheme which sets out the information the Council will automatically and routinely publish. The Scheme also has to set out how the information will be published and whether or not the information in the Scheme will be made available free of charge.
The Scheme has to set out the classes of information that the Council will publish. The Council has decided that they will publish information of the following classes: -
- The Council and it's Constitution
- Financial Matters
- Policy Framework Plans
- Other Council Policies
- Council Decisions
- Council Performance
- Council Services
- Council News
The Scheme sets out the title of each class and a description of the type of information included in the class and where the information is published.
The purpose of the Scheme is to ensure that a significant amount of information is published and available without a need for a specific request. Schemes are intended to encourage public authorities to publish more information proactively and to develop a greater culture of openers.
In preparing their Scheme the Council has had regard to the public interest; the sort of information people normally ask us for; and what people are interested in. The Council has also had regard overall to the public interest of disclosure of information in the interests of open and accountable local Government as well as having regard to information which is already published and the rights that the Freedom of Information Act 2000 will in due course bring to everyone, when the public access provisions come in under the legislation in 2005. The Scheme and the new legislation does not limit in any way other rights people have to information nor does it limit the very large amount of information that we otherwise publish outside the Scheme.
A great deal of information that the Council holds is personal and private to individuals and the Freedom of Information Act 2000 does not deal with this. The relevant legislation is the Data Protection Act. The Freedom of Information Act will not be making public private and confidential information about for example people's private council tax, benefits, tenancy arrangements with the Council.
Ken Lucking, the Council's Head of Corporate Services, is responsible for the Scheme and for maintaining the Scheme on a day-to-day basis. He is also the Council's Data Protection Officer.
If you have any enquiries about the Scheme or issues about personal data you should contact him at: -
Corporate Services
Town Hall
High Street
Gosport
PO12 1EB
Tel:- 023 9254 5305
Fax:- 023 9254 5253
Email:- kenl@gosport.gov.uk
The Council also has a complaints procedure a copy of which is available on the website or from the Town Hall.
This complaints procedure does not limit any rights people have to complain to the Information Commissioner about Data Protection or Freedom of Information Act issues.
Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Email:- data@dataprotection.gov.uk
What information will be made available
The Scheme sets out the classes of information that were made available and any exemptions which will apply.
Where will the information be made available
The Publication Scheme itself will be made available on the Council's website and at the Town Hall. Copies will also be made available at Libraries in the Borough. Each class of information in the Publication Scheme sets out how it will be made available.
The information and the Scheme itself are available, upon request, in large print.
Charges
There is no charge for examining the information within the Publication Scheme or in the Publication Scheme itself. However, if you require photocopies of any of the information in the Scheme or a copy of the Scheme itself then a charge may be made at rates determined from time to time by the Council.
Monitoring and Review of the Publication Scheme
As this is a new requirement, it is the intention of the Council to review its first Publication Scheme after 12 months of operation. If you have any suggestions about this Scheme then please send them to the Head of Corporate Services at the address set out above, or by email to the address on the Council website.
Requesting Information
Borough information is available on the website, a hypertext link will direct you to the correct page on the website. For information available by post, the Scheme either specifies to whom the request should be made and their address or any request can alternatively be made in writing to the Head of Corporate Services, Gosport Borough Council. Where a charge applies this is specified.
Class 1
Title: Council and its Constitution
Description of information:
Details of the composition of the Council, its Constitution pursuant to the Local Government Act 2000, details of officers and Members and the Council's Area
Location:
Website and Town Hall
Charges:
Charge made for copy of any information
Class 2
Title: Financial Matters
Description of information:
Council Tax estimates, capital programme 2003/2004 and succeeding financial years
Annual statement of Accounts 2000/2001 and succeeding financial years
Location:
Website and Town Hall
Charges :
Charge made for copy of any information
Class 3
Title: Policy Framework Plans
Description of information:
The Policy Framework of the Council as defined by the Council Constitution including statutory Council strategies and policies approved by the Council.
For example and including: -
The Borough's local plan
Local Agenda 21 Strategy
Crime and Disorder Strategy
Asset Management Plan
Location:
Website and Town Hall
Charges:
Charge made for copy of any information
Class 4
Title: Other Council Policies
Description:
Other Council Policies from time to time not included in the Policy Framework Plans as defined by the Constitution
For example and including:-
People Management Strategy
Equality Policy
Location:
Website and Town Hall
Charges:
Charge made for copy of any information
Class 5
Title: Council Decisions
Description of information:
Agenda's, Reports, Minutes of the Council, it's Boards, Sub-Boards and Committees excluding those items falling within Schedule 12A, Part 1 of the Local Government Act 1972 as from time to time amended.
Location:
Website and Town Hall
Charges:
Charge made for copy of any information
Class 6
Title: Council Performance
Description of information:
The Annual Best Value Local Performance Plan 2002 and succeeding years detailing the Council's performance in its selected service areas including comparative figures.
Annual Statement of Accounts 2000/2001 and succeeding financial years
Location:
Website and Town Hall
Charges:
Charge made for copy of any information
Class 7
Title: Council Services
Description of information:
A detailed list of Council services with contacts
Location:
Website and Town Hall
Charges:
Charge made for copy of any information
Class 8
Title: Council News
Description of information:
The Council's Newspaper, Council Tenants Newsletters, Press Releases issued by the Council, and Tourist/Visitor information
Location:
Website and Town Hall
Charges:
Charge made for copy of any information
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