The Freedom of Information Act 2000

Freedom of Information Act 2000 - what is it?

The Freedom of Information Act gives any member of the public access to information held by us. Instead of only releasing information on a 'need to know' basis, public authorities are required to provide any information requested, unless there is a very good reason not to.

Public authorities include Local Authorities, Schools, the National Health Service, and Central Government Departments.

What information can I have access to?

Freedom of Information covers all information held by us, and so allows access to types of information as varied as the services we provide. Examples of previous requests include:

• Numbers of parking tickets issued in specific areas
• Maintenance of Council owned buildings
• Decisions about street markings or traffic light settings
• Details of suppliers of school dinners
• Incident logs from the libraries
• Details of overseas visits by Council officials

Information routinely made available - Publication Scheme

Details of the types of information we make available without an individual request being made is contained in the Publication Scheme. It tells you where you can get hold of it and if there will be a charge. This includes information such as:

• Council meeting minutes
• Planning applications
• Food safety reports
• Annual financial reports

More information

You can find further information about the FOIA from the following government websites:

• www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk
  Website of the Office of the Information Commissioner
• www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/
  View a copy of the Act
• www.hmso.gov.uk/
  View the explanatory notes published with the Act

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Page updated: 15 Feb 2011