Freedom of Information
Freedom of Information
The Freedom of Information Act
2000 is designed to establish a new culture of openness and
transparency in public administration. The Act provides a
general right of access to all types of recorded information
held by public authorities, subject to certain exemptions, and
imposes obligations on these authorities as to how they should
respond to written requests for information. However, the
public authority is not required to release information to
which any of the exemptions in the Act applies. Typically,
information may be withheld if its release would compromise the
health and safety of staff; where confidential data about
others is included; or for reasons of security. For a full list
of exemptions, log on to:
www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk
The Act also establishes the Office of Information Commissioner
with responsibility for ensuring compliance with the
requirements of the Act. Furthermore, the Act requires that,
from November 2002, the Board has a Publication Scheme approved
by the Information Commissioner
The aim of the Publication Scheme is to outline:
- the classes of information published or intended to be published
- the manner in which they will be published
- and whether the information will be available free of charge or on payment of a fee.
The classes of information and the manner in which they will be published can be viewed by clicking on the link opposite.
The remaining provisions of the Act, covering the individual right of access to information, will be brought into force for all public authorities in January 2005.