Freedom of information publication scheme (FOI)

The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act aims to allow wider access to information held by public bodies. This includes councils, police forces and schools, as well as other authorities listed in the Act.

The first part of the Act requires the Council to maintain a Publication Scheme listing information available to the public. Where the information is not available via the website, the Publication Scheme gives details of how to obtain the information.

Where we receive a large number of requests on a particular issue, a link will be provided to this page giving details of minutes, reports etc available.

The part of the Act which provides a general right of access to information came into force on 1 January 2005. From this date, any person who makes a request to the Council for information must be informed whether we hold that information and, subject to exemptions, be supplied with that information.

There is normally no charge for providing the information. The Council is allowed to charge for photocopying, postage etc but will normally only do so for large requests, and we will inform you before proceeding with the request.

We may also refuse to respond to requests which will take more than 18 hours of staff time to deal with, which are repeat requests, or which are considered to be vexatious.

For further information regarding the Act itself, please see the Information Commissioner's website.

Make a request for information

Compete our Freedom Of Information (FOI) eForm

or contact us using the details on the left

More information

Download our Freedom of Information Publication Scheme

last update: 21/04/2011