Introduction – What is the Publication Scheme?

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 aims to encourage greater openness and transparency by public authorities.  One part of the Act requires the Council to adopt and maintain a Publication Scheme, so that everyone can find out what information we routinely or regularly make available. The Scheme tells you about the broad categories of information that are generally available to the public, the various forms in which the information is available and whether there is a charge payable.  This is the Council's Scheme under the Act. 

The Full Publication Scheme

How the scheme is organised

In common with other Councils in Dorset, we have set out the classes of information under 13 broad headings.  The headings are:

By clicking on one of the above headings you will be able to gain access to the Council's Publications Catalogue which enables you to see what information we have available to you in both electronic and manual format.

Each of these headings is split down further into a series of classes and for each class, under the heading of “What you may see”, there is a description of the information that will generally be made available.  Under the heading of “What you may not see” the class will also set out any information that might fall within the broad definition that will not be routinely published.  The publication of personal information about an individual or information that is commercially sensitive is excluded from all the classes in the Scheme. 

The Scheme is not a list of actual publications, it is just a way of signposting you to the very large amount of information that the Council generally makes publicly available using a framework of easily recognisable categories and classes. The Scheme does not override other existing rights that people already have to information by law, for example planning applications and other public registers.

In preparing this Scheme we have had regard to the public interest in disclosure of information in the interests of open and accountable local government as well as having regard to information that is already published and the rights that the Freedom of Information Act 2000 brings to everyone under the access provisions.

Access Provisions under the Freedom of  Information Act

Under the access provisions of the Freedom of Information Act you can write (or send an email, or fax) to the Council to ask us to provide information that is of particular interest to you, but we do not have to respond to individual requests if the information you are asking for is already, ‘reasonably accessible by other means’.

What does ‘reasonably accessible’ mean?

It mainly means information that is already covered by our Publication Scheme, but it also refers to information that we are obliged to make public by law. 

So, before you write to us making an individual request for information please remember that you should check first to find out whether it is generally made available through our Publication Scheme, or if we already publish it under other legislation.

How can I obtain the information included within the Scheme?

The majority of information is available on our website, so this is the best place to look first and, even if you do not have a computer at home, remember that you do have free Internet access at our libraries. 

Some information is available as printed copy and you will be able to find this at our libraries, or at one of the Council reception points, e.g. Town Hall reception, Social Services reception, Education Services reception.

Where the information is not available electronically via the website, or as printed copy at our libraries, or other Council reception points, you can contact the Council and the material you have asked for will be supplied promptly.

The Scheme and the information it contains are available in English. If English is not your first language and you would like to have this publication in another language, or if you would like a copy of this publication in large print, audio tape or Braille, please contact the Freedom of Information Officer at the e-mail below. We will do our best to meet your requirements.

What is the list of ‘Council Publications’? (Or the ‘Catalogue’)

The Council has started to develop a list, or catalogue of some of the documents and other recorded material that is included in the Scheme.  The catalogue will only be available on our website.

The catalogue will not, and is never likely to include all of the material generally made available through the Scheme, but we hope it will provide a quick and easy way for you to find documents that are of particular public interest and/or provide information about decisions made by the Council.    

The catalogue will be regularly reviewed and updated.

Will other people be able to see personal information about me?

A great deal of the information that we hold is personal and private to individuals.  The Freedom of Information Act 2000 does not make such information available to the public.  All of the classes within our Scheme exclude the publication of personal information as defined by the Data Protection Act 1998. 

Is there a charge for the Council supplying the information?

Although you may be able to inspect documents containing the information that you have requested for free, there may be a charge for providing you with a copy of the document. The amount that we may charge can vary depending upon the type and volume of information requested, and if it requires retrieval or postage.

Where the Council has produced publications for sale the current cover price will be charged.  Additionally, where the Council already has charging regimes in place for specific categories of documentation, e.g. Land Charges, these will continue to apply.

That said, we will attempt to make as much information available as possible without charging for it, and free Internet access at public libraries should ensure most items are readily available without charge.

Who is responsible for maintaining the Scheme and how do I make a complaint?

The officer with overall responsibility for the Scheme is the Head of Law and Corporate Governance. The officer with day-to-day responsibility for the Publication Scheme is the Council’s Freedom of Information Officer.

If you think that the Council has not complied with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 relating to this publication scheme, you can seek an internal review of that decision. A member of staff who was not involved with the original request will undertake the review. An internal review must normally be completed before an appeal may be made to the Information Commissioner.

If you remain dissatisfied, you can seek an independent review from the Information Commissioner. Requests for a review by the Information Commissioner should be made in writing directly to:

Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Fax: 01625 524 510    
Tel: 01625 545 745 
     

Is this the final version of the Scheme?

As the adoption of a publication scheme is still a relatively new requirement on councils, the Information Commissioner has approved the Scheme for a limited period.  It is anticipated that a publication scheme would be reviewed, renewed and submitted to the Information Commissioner every three years. The Council intends to review the Scheme during its first two years of operation.

We would welcome comments and suggestions on how we can improve the Scheme as it is important that it meets the needs of the public using it. If you have any such suggestions please contact the Freedom of Information Officer, using the contact details above.