| The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act
2000 gives a statutory right of access to all information
held by public authorities, subject to some exceptions.
The Act is designed to make public bodies, more open, accessible
and accountable and impacts the way that this, and every Council,
responds to requests for information.
The Act provides the public with two new rights:
- a right to know what information public authorities hold
- a right of access to that information
Under FOI, anyone, anywhere, can request information about
the Council and its business. The only stipulation is
that a Freedom of Information request should be received in
writing (this could be a fax, email or letter).
Requests can be made to access any information held by the
Council. This could be information held in an official
report, a briefing document, emails, fax or even notes.
The information can be about the Council's current business
or for previous years.
The Freedom of Information Act recognises that there are
valid reasons for withholding some information in response
to a request. The Act details situations in which information
is considered exempt. Unless information is covered by an
exemption it must be released if requested. |
