The Council provides information on the Freedom of Information Act,
and advises citizens how to request public information an authority
may hold.
The Freedom of Information Act gives a general right of access to
all types of recorded information held by public authorities. It
sets out exemptions from that right and places a number of
obligations on public authorities.
A 'public authority' is defined in the Act, and includes but is not
restricted to central and local government, non-departmental public
bodies, the police, the health service and schools, colleges and
universities. Any person who makes a request to a public authority
for information must be informed whether the public authority holds
that information, and subject to exemptions, must be supplied with
that information.
Individuals already have the right of access to information about
themselves under the Data Protection Act 1998. As far as public
authorities are concerned, the Freedom of Information Act will
extend this right to allow public access to all types of
information held.
Every public authority will be required to adopt and maintain a
publication scheme setting out the classes of information it holds,
the manner in which it intends to publish the information, and
whether a charge will be made for the information.
The purpose of a scheme is to ensure a significant amount of
information is available, without the need for a specific request.
Schemes are intended to encourage organisations to publish more
information proactively and to develop a greater culture of
openness.
More information on the Freedom of Information Act can be found by
using the links below:
You can use our
online form to make a Freedom of Information
Request
or contact us regarding the Freedom Of Information Act by using the
contact details below:
E-mail:
right2know@waveney.gov.uk
Telephone: 01502 562111
Fax: 01502
589327