THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000
1. What is the Freedom of Information Act 2000?
The Act requires all public authorities, including councils, to be open with information. The Act gives a general right to access to all types of recorded information held by the Council. It sets out exemptions from that right and places various obligations upon the Council. The Act came into force in two stages. From February 2003 the Council was required to adopt and maintain a Publication Scheme. 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, supplied with that information.
These pages are designed to provide clear and concise advice on how to request information from the Council.
For more information on the Freedom of Information Act please visit the Information Commissioners’ website http://www.ico.gov.uk/
2. Freedom of Information - frequently asked questions
The Council has produced a short guide in the form of questions and answers which explains about the Act, provides guidelines about making a request and provides information on what to do if your request is refused or you are unhappy with the information provided.
Visit the Council’s Freedom of Information Guide.
3. What is a Publication Scheme?
A Publication Scheme is a guide to the information that the Council routinely publishes. It includes all forms of information from a bound book or brochure to a mass produced leaflet and web based information.
The purpose of this Publication Scheme is to ensure that a significant amount of information is available without the need for a specific request. The Publication Scheme sets out the classes of information that the Council publishes or intends to publish, how the information in each class is, or is intended to be published and any charge that may apply.
Horsham District Council's existing Publication Scheme is currently under review as the Information Commissioner's approval of all current Publication Schemes expires on 31 December 2008. From 1 January 2009 the Council will be adopting the model Publication Scheme issued by the Information Commissioner's Office.
The Council's Communication and Information Officer, Sarah Gill, is the officer responsible for the Publication Scheme is Sarah Gill. You can contact her on (01403) 215571 or by e-mailing foi@horsham.gov.uk. A number of specific officers are responsible for maintaining the information within their areas of work on a day to day basis. The officers are named in the Scheme together with direct telephone numbers and e-mail addresses.
To access the Council’s Publication Scheme and for full instructions on how to search through the Publication Scheme, please visit www.horshamfoi.org.uk/search.asp
In addition to being available on the Council’s website, the complete Publication Scheme is available in paper format at all of its offices within the district. A copy is also available at the Help Point in Horsham library and in each of the parishes where the parish council has an office open to the public.
4. Requesting Information
If you would like to request information you can do so either in writing, by e-mail or fax.
We have produced a request form which might help you make your request. This is a pdf form which can be printed off and sent in. Alternatively, use our on-line request form.
5. Charging
The Council wishes to make as much information as possible available free of charge. However, some Publications have a cover charge. Where photo copies of documents are required these will be charged for.
6. Feedback
The Council welcomes comments and suggestions on how it can improve the scheme as it is important that the Scheme meets your needs.
Please send your comments to:
The Communication and Information Officer
Horsham District Council
Park North
North Street
Horsham
West Sussex
RH12 1RL
Phone: 01403 215571
E-mail: foi@horsham.gov.uk
7. Making a Complaint
If you wish to object to the Council's decision in the first instance you may approach to Council's Customer Focus team by writing to The Customer Focus Team, Chief Executive's Directorate, Horsham District Council, Park North, North Street, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 1RL. Should you remain dissatisfied you can appeal against the decision by contacting the Information Commissioner, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AF.