Overview
We want to be a transparent organisation that helps you to understand what we do and how we do it. We not only want to respond to Freedom of Information requests but also be pro-active in publishing information.
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires every public authority to create and maintain a publication scheme. This is a list of key documents about the council and how it conducts its business.
We’re working hard to bring you an improved publication scheme that will be easier to navigate and more informative.
Email us if you’d like any additional information.
Our publication scheme
In common with many other local authorities, we have adopted a Model Publication Scheme issued by the Information Commissioner's Office.
We’re committed to reviewing this information as regularly as possible to ensure it is current, relevant and accurate.
By adopting the model scheme, we have made a commitment to ensuring that as much information as possible is made publicly available under seven categories:
- Who we are and what we do
- What we spend and how we spend it
- What our priorities are and how we're doing
- How we make decisions
- Our policies and procedures
- Lists and registers
- The services we offer
What’s not included
The publication scheme will not generally include information:
- where the disclosure is prevented by law, or exempt under the Freedom of Information Act, or is otherwise properly considered to be protected from disclosure
- in draft form
- 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
Information held by the Council, which has not been published under this scheme, can be requested in writing under the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act. Find out how to make an FOI request.
Charges for publication scheme information
We make no charge for downloading information from our website. Where it is not possible to offer a document electronically, charges may be made for photocopying, postage and packaging or costs incurred as a direct result of requesting the information. If there is a charge, it will be clearly indicated.
Further details of our charges for information can be found on a special section of our website.
More information
Further information about publication schemes is available from the Information Commissioner’s Office.