Publication Scheme
1. Your Rights to Access Information
1.1 The Freedom of Information Act 2000
The Freedom of Information Act ("the Act") became law
on 30 November 2000, and is intended to foster a culture of openness
in government. The Act establishes a right of access to all types
of information held by public authorities, including Bexley Council
and it imposes obligations on public authorities to disclose information,
subject to a range of exemptions.
One of the aims of the Act is that
public authorities should be clear and proactive about the information
they make and intend to make
public. Central to this is for each public authority to adopt and
maintain
a 'Publication Scheme'. The scheme should set out the
classes of information that it publishes or intends to publish; how
the information in each class may be obtained; and any charge that
is made for it. This is Bexley Council's Publication Scheme.
1.2
Open Government in Bexley
Bexley Council ("the Council")
sees the introduction of the Act as a welcome opportunity to make
information more widely available.
Under its arrangements for corporate
governance, the Council wishes to provide both formal and informal
opportunities for the public
to be able to access and influence decision-making processes. The
present
governance arrangements provide for the public generally, as well
as focus groups and local forums, to be formally consulted on the
wide range of issues, including the Community Plan, policy development
and matters of specific local interest. All residents are able to
participate in these consultation exercises by responding when invited
or by joining the Residents' Panel or the Internet Panel.
In the normal course of events, the public are also able to express
their views or pursue a specific interest by way of direct contact
with their local Councillors. The public can also raise issues directly
with officers. The Council already does all it can to facilitate
contact with the public in person, in writing, by telephone or e-mail
and
will set standards and targets for responding to all forms of public
contact.
The Council's Publication Scheme under the Act aims
to specify information that the Council will or intends to make available
to
the public. Various "classes of information" covered by
the Publication Scheme are described in Section
4 of this document.
If you cannot find what you are looking for, Section
9 explains how
and where to make a request for information not covered by our Publication
Scheme. Information described in the Publication Scheme does not
refer solely to printed material. The Scheme also includes information
in
other formats and details of formats of documents are set out in
Section
3. The Council intends, as far as possible, to make material
available
on the Council website. Details of fees and charges are set out in
Section 8.
1.3 Existing Rights of Access to Information held by Bexley
Council
Individuals already have the right to access their own information
held on computer, and in some paper files, under the Data Protection
Act 1998. This is known as the 'subject access right'. As far as
public bodies are concerned, the Act will extend these rights to
allow access
to all the types of information they hold, whether personal or non-personal.
However, there are some exemptions as set out in Section
6.
Bexley Council currently makes information routinely available to the public
in relation to most of its functions and activities and
is required by law to publish a whole range of information which
will continue to be available without the need to use the Act.
1.4 Access to the Publication Scheme
Copies of the printed version of
this Publication Scheme are available from the Council's Libraries,
and the main reception areas of the Council's buildings. The
scheme is also published here on the Council's website. Other
versions are available on request from the Civic Offices in Bexleyheath,
and with
reasonable notice including:
- in large print
- on audio cassette
- in languages other than English
The Council's web site is generally accessible to visually
impaired people, and it is possible to request
interpretation into languages other
than
English.
If you would like a printed copy of our Publication Scheme,
please contact
- Freedom of Information Officer,
Bexley Council Local Studies
and Archives Centre,
Townley Road,
Bexleyheath, Kent,
DA6 7HJ
- 020 8303 7777 ext. 3369
- 020 8304 7058
- foi@bexley.gov.uk
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