Freedom of Information Act
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 allows you greater access into how public organisations operate. It aims to make organisations, such as this Council, the police authority and other public organisations more accountable to the public at large. Similar acts are already in place in Australia and Ireland.
Freedom of Information Publication Scheme
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires every public authority to adopt and maintain a publication scheme, which has been approved by the Information Commissioner, and to publish information in accordance with the scheme. From 1 January 2009, one approved model scheme has to be adopted by all authorities. The scheme lists information under seven broad classes.
Authorities need to provide a guide to the information provided under the scheme. Our website acts as a comprehensive guide to the information we make available. You can browse the information using the subject headings at the foot of the home page or by using the search engine. We do not charge for the information which is accessible on our website. However, a charge may be incurred for reproducing information or providing it in alternative formats, where this is possible.
We endeavour to make as much information as possible available online. We will continue to develop the scheme to increase the amount of information that can be accessed through it. If however you cannot find the information you are after, please contact Ian Colyer, Freedom of Information Officer, by e-mail i.colyer@welhat.gov.uk or telephone on 01707 357413. We can then offer guidance on where the information is held or whether a Freedom of Information request is needed.
Classes of Information
The classes below provide links to the information which is available through this website.
Organisation information, structures, locations, contacts and democratic information.
What we spend and how we spend it
Financial information about projected and actual income and expenditure, procurement, contracts and financial audits.
What our priorities are and how we are doing
Strategies and plans, performance information, inspections and reviews.
Decision making processes and records or decisions.
Current written protocols, policies and procedures for delivering our services and responsibilities.
Public registers and asset lists.
Information about the services the Council provides including leaflets, guidance and newsletters.
Feedback
The Publication Scheme will be continually developed to include additional information. We will also look to make the document fully searchable.
In the meantime though we would like to receive feedback on how usable you have found the document. Please email freedom@welhat.gov.uk with any comments.
Request for Information
The Freedom of Information Act became law on 1 January 2005. You can access any information (subject to certain exemptions) held by this Council and other public organisations, including central government, beyond what is published regularly and as stated in organisations' Publications Schemes.
In short, if we hold it you can ask for it and will be entitled to receive it unless there are reasonable grounds for withholding the information. We will advise you if an exemption applies to the information you are asking for and the reason why. Some exemptions for information include: information held in confidence, court records, commercially sensitive information or those protected by law. Full details of the exemptions can be found on the Information Commissioner website (www.ico.gov.uk).
Information is considered anything recorded such as documents, emails, correspondence, video and computer files.
Making a Request
To request information please use our request form, otherwise your request has to be submitted in writing (email, letter or fax are all acceptable). You do not have to explain why you are requesting information, but you must supply your name and adequate contact details to enable us to correspond with you.
We have 20 working days to respond to your request, but we will always endeavour to respond as quickly as possible. If we are not able to meet this timescale, we will give you an estimate of the date by which we expect to reach a decision.
If your request is broad, we may ask you to clarify the information that you are after. We will give you reasonable advice and assistance to help you find what you are looking for.
We may need to consult with other public authorities and/or third parties in order to reach a decision on whether the information can be release. We will tell you if we do not hold the information and advise you what you can do to further your request.
If you are dissatisfied with the information supplied or the way we have dealt with your request
You may feel that we have not dealt with your request properly or have not supplied the information you have requested. Examples may include:
- You feel dissatisfied with the service provided in the processing of your request.
- We have failed to meet the 20 working day time limit in complying with your request without good reason.
- You did not receive all the information you requested.
- We have not provided information in accordance with our Publication Scheme.
- You feel that you have been incorrectly charged.
- You believe that any exemptions have been incorrectly applied.
If you believe you have a cause to complain then you will need to set out your complaint in writing or by e-mail within 10 days of receiving documentation from the Council.
Complaints should be emailed to freedom@welhat.gov.uk or written to:
Freedom of Information Officer
Welwyn Hatfield Council
Council Offices
The Campus
Welwyn Garden City
AL8 6AE
Your complaint will be heard by two members of the Chief Executives Team. You will be advised of their decision within 14 days. If you remain dissatisfied with the decision reached you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner. The contact details for the Information Commissioner's Office are below.
Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Telephone: 01625 545 700
Email: mail@iso.gsi.gov.uk
Council Policy
If you require further information on how we conduct and manage requests, please view the Council's Freedom of Information policy.
Data Protection Act
The Freedom of Information Act does not override the Data Protection Act 1998, which protects individuals' personal details held by an organisation. Under this Act, individuals already have the right to access information held about themselves.
This page was updated on 26 January 2009