Freedom of Information ACT 2000

[ Introduction ] [ Publication Scheme ]

Freedom of Information

The Freedom of Information Act ("the Act") aims to foster a culture of openness in Government. The Act imposes obligations on public authorities, including the East Midlands Development Agency (the Agency"), to disclose recorded information held by it, subject to a range of exemptions.

Under The Data Protection Act 1998 individuals already have access rights (subject to certain exemptions) to information which is held about them electronically, and in some paper files. The Freedom of Information Act extends these rights to allow access to recorded information which public bodies hold, whether personal or non-personal. However, the public body will not be required to release any information to which any of the exemptions in the Act apply. A full list of exemptions can be found at the Department for Constitutional Affairs Website http://www.dca.gov.uk

An important feature of the Act is the requirement for each public authority to produce a publication scheme setting out what information it will publish as a matter of course, how and when it will do so, and whether there is a charge for the information supplied.

Regional Development Agency's (RDAs) Publication Scheme

Under Section 19 of the Freedom of Information 2000, every public authority needs to have a publication scheme which relates to the publication of information by the authority, and to publish information in accordance with its publication scheme. In addition, section 20 of the Act allows public authorities falling within particular classes to produce model publication schemes.

In order to show best practice in openness, emda and 7 other RDAs have adopted a model scheme drawn up under sections 19 and 20 of the Act. The purpose of this publication scheme is to set out:

The publication scheme refers to the classes of information that emda will publish internally and externally. The scheme provides guidance on how to find information according to its type. Publication does not refer solely to printed material, but includes material posted on the agency's website, one-off printed documents, electronic documents, printed books, brochures reports and leaflets. Much of the material covered by the scheme is available our website. Some RDA documents are also available for review in public libraries. The publication scheme may be revised from time to time.

RDAs are not obliged to release any information to which any of the appropriate exemptions of the Act apply.

Information which is not in the Publication Scheme :

If the information you wish to see is not in the publication scheme you will need to apply in writing to Sue Wass, Corporate Manager, emda, who will assess your request.

The agency will usually respond within 20 days of receipt of your written request but if, for good reason, it is likely to take longer, the agency will keep you informed.

Exemptions

The Agency is entitled not to release information which falls into one of the exemptions under the Act. In some cases, it will not be required to disclose whether it holds such information. Please refer to the Department for Constitutional Affairs website http://www.dca.gov.uk.

Charges

We may charge for information where the cost of us complying with the request exceeds £450.

The agency reserves the right to make a reasonable charge for postage and copying (and similar) costs. Depending on demand a charge may also be levied for sending out printed versions of documents held on the agency's website.

The agency will notify you of any charge at the time of your application.

Responsibilities

The person with overall responsibility for the publication scheme and for Freedom of Information access requests within the Agency is the chief executive, and the individual who has responsibility for daily maintenance of the publication scheme is the named contact shown below.

Named Contact

Dale Robinson
Telephone: 0115 988 8549
Email: dalerobinson@emd.org.uk

Copyright

If you want to re-use or reproduce the Agency's publications (for example, commercially or for circulation to third parties) you will in most cases need to apply to the Agency for aa copyright licence.

Customer Care

Our full customer care standards can be read by clicking here

Complaints Procedure

If an applicant is dissatisfied with the response from the agency he/she can seek an internal review of that decision. A member of staff who was not involved with the original request will undertake the review. If the applicant remains dissatisfied, he/she can seek an independent review from the Information Commissioner.

Requests for a review by the Information Commissioner should be made in writing directly to:

The Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire SK9 5AF
Tel: 01625 545 700
Fax: 01625 524510

[ Publication Scheme ]