What is the Freedom of Information Act?

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 is intended to promote a culture of openness and accountability amongst public sector bodies by providing people with rights of access to the information held by them.  It is expected that these rights will facilitate better understanding of how public authorities carry out their duties, why they make the decisions they do and how they spend public money.

The Act came into force in two stages:

From February 2003 the Council had to adopt and maintain a Publication Scheme.  A Publication Scheme is both a public commitment to make certain information available and a guide to how that information can be obtained.

From January 2005 any person who makes a request to the Council for information must be informed

• whether the Council holds that information, and subject to exemptions,
• be supplied with that information.

You can find more information about the Act on the Information Commissioners website  www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk

Freedom of Information Policy
How to make a request for information
Fees and charges
Personal Information
Feedback and comments
Complaints