This Publication Scheme has been prepared and approved by the Information Commissioner.
This Publication Scheme commits the Council to make
information available to the public as part of its normal business
activities. The information covered is included in the classes of
information mentioned below, where this information is held by the
Council.
The scheme commits the Council:
- To proactively publish or
otherwise make available as a matter of routine, information, including
environmental information, which is held by the authority and falls
within the classifications below.
- To specify the information which is held by the authority and falls within the classifications below.
- To
proactively publish or otherwise make available as a matter of routine,
information in line with the statements contained within this scheme.
- To
produce and publish the methods by which the specific information is
made routinely available so that it can be easily identified and
accessed by members of the public.
- To review and update on a regular basis the information the authority makes available under this scheme.
- To produce a schedule of any fees charged for access to information which is made proactively available.
- To make this Publication Scheme available to the public.
Classes of Information
Who we are and what we do.Organisational information, locations and contacts, constitutional and legal governance.
What we spend and how we spend it.Financial information relating to projected and actual income and expenditure, tendering, procurement and contracts.
What our priorities are and how we are doing.Strategy and performance information, plans, assessments, inspections and reviews.
How we make decisions.Policy proposals and decisions. Decision making processes, internal criteria and procedures, consultations.
Our policies and procedures.Current written protocols for delivering our functions and responsibilities.
Lists and Registers.Information held in registers required by law and other lists and registers relating to the functions of the authority.
The Services we Offer.Advice and guidance, booklets and leaflets, transactions and media releases. A
description of the services offered.
The classes of information will not generally include:
- Information the
disclosure of which is prevented by law, or exempt under the Freedom of
Information Act, or is otherwise properly considered to be protected
from disclosure.
- Information in draft form.
- Information
that is no longer readily available as it is contained in files that
have been placed in archive storage, or is difficult to access for
similar reasons.
The method by which information published under this scheme will be made available
The Council will indicate clearly to the public what information is covered by this Scheme and how it can be obtained.
Information will be provided on the Council
website. Where it is impracticable to make information available on
the website or when an individual does not wish to access the
information by the website, the Council will indicate how information
can be obtained by other means and provide it by those means.
In exceptional circumstances some information may
be available only by viewing in person. Where this manner is
specified, contact details will be provided. An appointment to view the
information will be arranged within a reasonable timescale.
Information will be provided in the language in
which it is held or in such other language that is legally required.
Where an authority is legally required to translate any information, it
will do so.
Obligations under disability and discrimination
legislation and any other legislation to provide information in other
forms and formats will be adhered to when providing information in
accordance with this scheme.
Charges which may be made for Information published under this scheme
The purpose of this scheme is to make the maximum
amount of information readily available at minimum inconvenience and
cost to the public. Charges made by the Council for routinely published
material will be justified and transparent and kept to a minimum.
Material which is published and accessed on a
website will be provided free of charge. Charges may be made for
information subject to a charging regime specified by Parliament.
Charges may be made for actual disbursements incurred such as:
- photocopying
- postage and packaging
- the costs directly incurred as a result of viewing information
Charges may also be made for information provided
under this scheme where they are legally authorised, they are in all
the circumstances, including the general principles of the right of
access to information held by public authorities, justified and are in
accordance with a published schedule or schedules of fees which is
readily available to the public.
If a charge is to be made, confirmation of the
payment due will be given before the information is provided. Payment
may be requested prior to provision of the information.
Written Requests
Information held by the Council that is not
published under this Scheme can be requested in writing, when its
provision will be considered in accordance with the provisions of the
Freedom of Information Act.
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