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 General
Council \ Freedom of Information Act 2000
NEWRY AND MOURNE
DISTRICT COUNCIL
FREEDOM OF
INFORMATION ACT 2000
MODEL PUBLICATION SCHEME
As and from the 1st January 2009 all
public authorities have to adopt a new Publication scheme. This
replaces the previous scheme in use by Newry and Mourne District
Council.
This model publication scheme has been
prepared and approved by the Information Commissioner. It may be
adopted without modification by any public authority without further
approval and will be valid until further notice.
This publication scheme commits an
authority to make information available to the public as part of
its normal business activities. The information covered is included
in the classes of information mentioned below, where this information
is held by the authority. Additional assistance is provided to the
definition of these classes in sector specific guidance manuals
issued by the Information Commissioner.
The scheme commits an authority:
· To proactively publish or otherwise make available as a
matter of routine, information, including environmental information,
which is held by the authority and falls within the classifications
below.
· To specify the information which is held by the authority
and falls within the classifications below.
· To proactively publish or otherwise make available as a
matter of routine,
information in line with the statements contained within this scheme.
· To produce and publish the methods by which the specific
information is made
routinely available so that it can be easily identified and accessed
by members of
the public.
· To review and update on a regular basis the information
the authority makes available under this scheme.
· To produce a schedule of any fees charged for access to
information which is made proactively available.
· To make this publication scheme available to the public.
Classes of Information
Who we are and what we do.
Organisational information, locations and contacts, constitutional
and legal governance.
What we spend and how we spend
it.
Financial information relating to projected and actual income and
expenditure, tendering, procurement and contracts.
What our priorities are and
how we are doing.
Strategy and performance information, plans, assessments, inspections
and reviews.
How we make decisions.
Policy proposals and decisions. Decision making processes, internal
criteria and procedures, consultations.
Our policies and procedures.
Current written protocols for delivering our functions and responsibilities.
Lists and Registers.
Information held in registers required by law and other lists and
registers relating to the functions of the authority.
The Services we Offer.
Advice and guidance, booklets and leaflets, transactions and media
releases. A description of the services offered.
The classes of information
will not generally include:
· Information the disclosure of which is prevented by law,
or exempt under the Freedom of Information Act, or is otherwise
properly considered to be protected from disclosure.
· Information in draft form.
· Information that is no longer readily available as it is
contained in files that have been placed in archive storage, or
is difficult to access for similar reasons.
The method by which information
published under this scheme will be made available
The authority will indicate clearly
to the public what information is covered by this scheme and how
it can be obtained.
Where it is within the capability of
a public authority, information will be provided on a website. Where
it is impracticable to make information available on a website or
when an individual does not wish to access the information by the
website, a public authority will indicate how information can be
obtained by other means and provide it by those means.
In exceptional circumstances some information
may be available only by viewing in person. Where this manner is
specified, contact details will be provided. An appointment to view
the information will be arranged within a reasonable timescale.
Information will be provided in the
language in which it is held or in such other language that is legally
required. Where an authority is legally required to translate any
information, it will do so.
Obligations under disability and discrimination
legislation and any other legislation to provide information in
other forms and formats will be adhered to when providing information
in accordance with this scheme.
Charges which may be made for
Information published under this scheme
The purpose of this scheme is to make
the maximum amount of information readily available at minimum inconvenience
and cost to the public. Charges made by the authority for routinely
published material will be justified and transparent and kept to
a minimum.
Material which is published and accessed
on a website will be provided free of charge.
Charges may be made for information
subject to a charging regime specified by Parliament.
Charges may be made for actual disbursements
incurred such as:
· photocopying
· postage and packaging
· the costs directly incurred as a result of viewing information
Charges may also be made for information
provided under this scheme where they are legally authorised, they
are in all the circumstances, including the general principles of
the right of access to information held by public authorities, justified
and are in accordance with a published schedule or schedules of
fees which is readily available to the public.
If a charge is to be made, confirmation
of the payment due will be given before the information is provided.
Payment may be requested prior to provision of the information.
Written Requests
Information held by a public authority
that is not published under this scheme can be requested in writing,
when its provision will be considered in accordance with the provisions
of the Freedom of Information.
Definition Document for District
Councils in Northern Ireland
This guidance document gives examples
of the kinds of information that the Information Commissioner would
expect district councils in Northern Ireland to provide in order
to meet their commitments under the model publication scheme.
To download a copy of the Definition
Document Click here
To Download a copy of the Freedom
of Information Act 2000 (Acrobat PDF format) Click
here
Requesting Information
Where information is available on the
website, a hypertext link will direct you to the correct page on
the website. Where information is available by post, a request can
be made in writing. Applicants should provide as much detail as
possible to identify the information sought. Requests should be
addressed to:
Seamus Mc Givern
Assistant Director Finance IT/Purchasing
Newry and Mourne District Council
O’Hagan House
Monaghan Row
Newry Co. Down
BT35 8DJ
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