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What is the Freedom of Information Act 2000?
The Act requires all public authorities, including Councils, to be open with
information. The Act gives you a general
right of access to all types of recorded information held by the Council. It sets out exemptions from that right and
places various obligations upon the Council. The Act comes into force in two stages. From February 2003 the Council must adopt and maintain a
Publication Scheme. From January 2005 any person who makes a request to
the Council for information must be informed whether the Council holds that
information and, subject to exemptions, be supplied with that information.
The Information Commissioner's website contains more details. Click here to access it.
What is a Publication Scheme ?
A Publication Scheme is a guide to the information that the
Council routinely publishes. It
includes all forms of recorded information from a bound book or brochure to a mass
produced leaflet and web based information.
The purpose of this Publication
Scheme is to ensure that a significant amount of information is available
without the need for you to make a specific request. The Publication Scheme includes a "Text Document" that sets out the categories of information available, whether any exemptons apply, where to get the information and any relevant charges. The Text Document also describes what to do if you have difficulty in accessing any of the information.
The officer responsible for the day to day running of the Publication Scheme is Vincenzo Ardilio who is the Council's Information Rights Officer. You
can contact him on 01483 444053 or e-mail him at iro@guildford.gov.uk. A number of specific officers are responsible
for maintaining the information within their areas of work on a day to day basis. The officers are named in the
Scheme together with direct telephone numbers and e-mail addresses.
To access the full Text Document, click here.
The Web site
This web site is intended to
operate as a convenient user-friendly resource to enable you to find easily the
information you are looking for. There are two methods for you to search for information. The first is to use the search facility, this
allows searching by key words such as “refuse”, or “planning”. The second is to use the Tree navigation. This classifies information according to
the “CATEGORIES” (with the  icon), ”sub-categories” (with the  icon)
and “classes” (with the  icon) of data to
which the information belongs. This will enable you to focus on areas you are interested in.
Formats available
In addition to being available on the
Council’s website, the complete Publication Scheme is available in paper format from the council offices. A copy will also be available at local libraries.
Charging
The Council wishes to make as much
information as possible available free of charge. However some Publications have a cover charge and these are clearly shown where they apply.
Feedback
The Council welcomes comments and
suggestions on how it can improve the scheme as it is important that the Scheme meets your needs.
Please send your comments to:
Mr Vincenzo Ardilio
Guildford Borough Council
Millmead House
Millmead
GUILDFORD
GU2 4BB
Telephone: 01483 444053
E-mail: iro@guildford.gov.uk
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