Freedom of Information Act 2000
Publication Scheme
1. The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) provides a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities, sets out exemptions from that right and places a number of obligations on public authorities.
2. The Act provides for a time limit (20 working days) for dealing with a request for information. The Act also provides for an appeal mechanism whereby the public may apply to the Information Commissioner for a decision as to whether a specified request has been dealt with in accordance with the Act.
3. Public authorities may charge a fee for processing Freedom of Information requests. The fee will be prescribed by secondary legislation.
4. Under the Act, all public authorities are obliged to adopt and maintain a Publication Scheme specifying:
a. the classes of information which they publish or intend to publish;
b. the manner in which the information is or is intended to be published; and
c. whether the material is or is intended to be made available to the public free of charge or on payment.
5. The purpose of a Publication Scheme is to ensure that a large amount of information is readily available to members of the public, without the need for specific consideration under the Freedom of Information Act, and to inform the public of the extent of material that is available.
6. “Readily available” means that the information is available on the organisation’s website or will, on receipt of a letter, e-mail or telephone call, be supplied in accordance with the timescales set out in the Act.
7. The Act applies to a large number of public authorities, including the Advisory Panel on Standards (APOS).
The APOS Publication Scheme
8. In accordance with this Publication Scheme you are entitled, on making a request for information (unless the information falls under one of the specific exemptions in the Act):
a. to be informed in writing by APOS whether it holds information of the description specified in your request; and
b. if that is the case, to have that information communicated to you.
9. This Publication Scheme is a guide to the information routinely published by APOS. It is not a list of the actual publications, since this will change as other things are published but rather it is a description of the classes or types of information published.
Classes of Information
10. Information that falls into the classes below will be made available free of charge.
11. The classes of information that APOS publishes or intends to publish are set out below:-
Class: |
Annual Report |
|---|---|
Description: |
Includes terms of reference, list of members and description of work carried out. |
Format available: |
Hard copy: Latest report only. (Copies of previous years may be available but this cannot be guaranteed). Internet at: www.apos.gov.uk From 11th report. (Some earlier reports may be viewed at www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1143490). |
Copyright
12. All material in this Scheme is Crown copyright. Unless specifically stated otherwise, in which case formal permission is required, material in this Scheme may be copied and reproduced without formal permission, provided:-
a. it is copied or reproduced accurately and is not used in a misleading context;
b. where the material is being copied or reproduced for others, the source of the material is identified and the copyright status acknowledged; and
c. the copying or reproduction is not for financial benefit.
13. This provision does not give a right to use any of APOS’ trade marks or logo.
Responsibility for the APOS Publication Scheme
14. The APOS Secretariat has responsibility for the APOS Publication Scheme.
Comments and complaints about the APOS Publication Scheme
15. If you have any comments about the APOS Publication Scheme or if you think we have not supplied information in accordance with our Scheme you should write, in the first instance, to the address below. If, after the investigation of your complaint, you remain dissatisfied you may ask for the matter to be reviewed internally. If you are still dissatisfied you may refer your complaint to the Information Commissioner.
16.We aim to deal with the investigation of complaints within twenty working days and we aim to complete internal reviews also within twenty working days.
Review of the Publication Scheme
17. We will review our Publication Scheme in June each year.
Contacting the Advisory Panel on Standards
18. If you wish to obtain a copy of any of the publications contained within the Scheme, please write or send an e-mail to the following address:-
Secretariat – Advisory Panel on Standards
4/10 Eagle Wing
Temple Quay House
2 The Square
Temple Quay
Bristol
BS1 6PN
Telephone 0117 372 8865
e-mail: secretariat@apos.gsi.gov.uk