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Freedom of Information Act 2000
Freedom of Information Act 2000
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 provides members of the public with two new opportunities to obtain copies of information held by, or on behalf of, all public bodies, including North Wiltshire District Council.
Publication Scheme
Firstly, the Council is required to publish and maintain a Publication Scheme This is a document that lists the types ( or classes) of information which the Council publishes or intends to publish and includes various policies, leaflets, forms and other documents. The Publication Scheme indicates how this information can be obtained and whether a charge is made for providing it. Some of the documents included in the Publication Scheme will be available to download from this site. Others can be obtained by contacting the Council.
Publication Scheme (PDF 147Kb)
Access to Information
Secondly, from 1st January 2005, the Freedom of Information Act introduces a general right of access to information held by all public bodies. From that date, any person making a request to North Wiltshire District Council is entitled ( subject to certain exemptions) to be informed in writing whether the Council holds the information requested and, if so, to have that information communicated to them, generally within 20 working days.
Publication Scheme
Firstly, the Council is required to publish and maintain a Publication Scheme This is a document that lists the types ( or classes) of information which the Council publishes or intends to publish and includes various policies, leaflets, forms and other documents. The Publication Scheme indicates how this information can be obtained and whether a charge is made for providing it. Some of the documents included in the Publication Scheme will be available to download from this site. Others can be obtained by contacting the Council.
Publication Scheme (PDF 147Kb)
Access to Information
Secondly, from 1st January 2005, the Freedom of Information Act introduces a general right of access to information held by all public bodies. From that date, any person making a request to North Wiltshire District Council is entitled ( subject to certain exemptions) to be informed in writing whether the Council holds the information requested and, if so, to have that information communicated to them, generally within 20 working days.
- A valid request must :-
- Be in writing ( or by email)
- State the name of the applicant and an address for correspondence
- Adequately describe the information being sought.
How to Make a Request for Information
Before submitting a formal request for information, you should first check the Council’s Publication Scheme to see whether the information you are seeking is included within the Scheme. If it is, you should follow the procedure set out in the Publication Scheme for obtaining a copy of the information being sought. You should not use the formal procedure set out below.
If the information you are seeking from North Wiltshire District Council is not in the Council’s Publication Scheme, you can request it in one of the following ways:-
Before submitting a formal request for information, you should first check the Council’s Publication Scheme to see whether the information you are seeking is included within the Scheme. If it is, you should follow the procedure set out in the Publication Scheme for obtaining a copy of the information being sought. You should not use the formal procedure set out below.
If the information you are seeking from North Wiltshire District Council is not in the Council’s Publication Scheme, you can request it in one of the following ways:-
- In writing to the Freedom of Information Co-ordinator, Corporate Services, North Wiltshire District Council, Monkton Park, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 1ER.
- By e-mail to freedomofinfo@northwilts.gov.uk
- By using the attached downloadable Request Form
On receipt of your request you will receive an acknowledgement and will be informed whether or not there will be a charge for supply of the information requested. Any charges will be in accordance with statutory Regulations. You will also be informed if the Council needs more details about your request in order to locate the information you are seeking.
The Council will then, within 20 working days of receipt of your request ( or, if appropriate, receipt of the relevant fee) inform you whether the Council holds the information you have requested and will provide you with a copy of that information. This will usually be in paper format, although the Council will try to accommodate other formats, if requested. The Council may, however, refuse to supply you with some or all of the information requested, if that information falls within one of the exemptions set out in the Freedom of Information Act. These exemptions include:-
The Council will then, within 20 working days of receipt of your request ( or, if appropriate, receipt of the relevant fee) inform you whether the Council holds the information you have requested and will provide you with a copy of that information. This will usually be in paper format, although the Council will try to accommodate other formats, if requested. The Council may, however, refuse to supply you with some or all of the information requested, if that information falls within one of the exemptions set out in the Freedom of Information Act. These exemptions include:-
- Information about identifiable individuals ( personal data)
- Information whose disclosure would prejudice the commercial interests of the Council or another person or organisation
- Information relating to proposed enforcement or legal action
Further details of the exemptions can be found by click on the link below.
Summary of Rights of Access to Information
If you need any advice or assistance on submitting a request for information, or on the Council’s responsibilities under the Freedom of Information Act, please contact the Council’s Freedom of Information Officer on 01249 706598.
If you have any comments or complaints regarding the way in which the Council has handled a request for information made by you under the Freedom of Information Act, please write in the first instance to the Freedom of Information Coordinator at the above address, who will then advise you of the procedure that will be followed.
You may also contact the Information Commissioner, whose address is :-
Wycliffe house
Summary of Rights of Access to Information
If you need any advice or assistance on submitting a request for information, or on the Council’s responsibilities under the Freedom of Information Act, please contact the Council’s Freedom of Information Officer on 01249 706598.
If you have any comments or complaints regarding the way in which the Council has handled a request for information made by you under the Freedom of Information Act, please write in the first instance to the Freedom of Information Coordinator at the above address, who will then advise you of the procedure that will be followed.
You may also contact the Information Commissioner, whose address is :-
Wycliffe house
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Telephone: 01625 545 700
Further information about the Freedom of Information Act can also be found on the Information Commissioner’s website www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk
Further information about the Freedom of Information Act can also be found on the Information Commissioner’s website www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk
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