Freedom of information

Overview

The Freedom of Information Act (FOI) 2000 and Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) 2004 came into force on 1 January 2005.  These Acts give the public a general right of access to our information.

All FOI requests are received, processed, and completed in accordance with the Act.

This policy aims to ensure we meet our obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

This policy applies to all our recorded information. Recorded information includes:

  • printed documents
  • computer files
  • letters
  • emails
  • photographs
  • sound or video recordings

Freedom of information covers information held on our behalf, even if it is not held on our premises.

Training and awareness

We provide freedom of information training to all staff.

Staff shall maintain a good awareness of:

  • freedom of information
  • environmental information regulations

Principles

People have a right to know about our activities, unless there is a good reason for them not to.

An applicant (requester) is not required to provide a reason for requesting information. We, however, must justify when refusing a request.

We will treat all requests for information equally.  However, there may be some exceptions for vexatious requests and personal data.

We will treat all requesters equally regardless of who they are.

Publication scheme

We publish:

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