Publication scheme
EAST HAMPSHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL PUBLICATION SCHEME
ACCOMPANYING NOTES
Introduction
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 gives people a general right of access to all types of 'recorded' information held by public authorities, including here at East Hampshire District Council.
From February 2003 we have been required by the Act to produce a "publication scheme" which sets out the information which we will routinely make publicly available, the format in which the information can be obtained and whether or not we will charge for it. Information not forming part of the publication scheme is available on request, subject to certain exemptions in the Act.
The Information Commissioner has developed a Model Publication Scheme for Local Authorities. This Publication Scheme was adopted by Council on 3rd December 2008.
Access to the publication scheme
The publication scheme is a public document and can be viewed at the following places:
East Hampshire District Council information offices
The East Hampshire District Council website at www.easthants.gov.uk
The Scheme is based on the model approved by the Information Commissioner. The Council has, where possible, created a link via the scheme to the information referred to in the Scheme. Where there is no link, there should be an explanation as to why and / or further details as to who to contact for further information.
Exempt information
Although we will try to publish as much information as we can, sometimes it may not be appropriate to release all of it due to its sensitive nature. This might be, for example, when it refers to our arrangements for dealing with emergencies or how we protect the health and safety of our staff. When this happens we will still publish all the information we can but the exempt information will either not be included or will be blanked out.
Changes to the publication scheme
We intend to review the contents of the scheme regularly. We expect that following each review new material will be added.
Charges
The Freedom of Information Act requires that we state whether there is a charge for the information we publish. Our aim is that as much of our information as possible will be free of charge although sometimes this will not be possible. Generally the following will apply:
We intend to review the contents of the scheme regularly. We expect that following each review new material will be added.The Freedom of Information Act requires that we state whether there is a charge for the information we publish. Our aim is that as much of our information as possible will be free of charge although sometimes this will not be possible. Generally the following will apply:
Charges Description Charge
Website - Free of charge unless otherwise specified
E-mail - Free of charge unless otherwise specified
Information printed from the website at council offices - Charge to cover the cost of printing, as per a published annual tariff
Publications produced by the district council for sale - As per the cover price
We will keep these charges under review.
Feedback on the publication scheme
The Chief Executive is responsible for our compliance with the Freedom of Information Act, but for day to day maintenance of the system the Freedom of Information Officer should be contacted. If you have any comments about our publication scheme please let us know, especially if you think something has gone wrong. All your comments should be addressed to :
If you have complained and are not happy with the response we have given you may wish to contact the regulatory body for Freedom of Information at the following address:
Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
The Freedom of Information Act requires us to produce a "publication scheme" setting out the information we routinely make publicly available, the format in which the information can be obtained and whether or not we charge for it. Information not forming part of the publication scheme is available on request, subject to certain exemptions.
The publication scheme consists of classes of information under the following headings: