Freedom Of Information Act Publication Scheme and Further Information

What is the Freedom of Information Act?

The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act entitles anybody to ask a public authority in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, including Government Departments, for any recorded information that they keep.

View a list of organisations covered by the Act

 

Publication Scheme

The Act requires authorities to maintain a Publication Scheme. This is a guide to the information that the authority publishes as a matter of routine. Kettering Borough Council's Publication Scheme sets out the classes of information that the council publishes, how it will be published and accessed, what fees there might be etc.

The scheme is intended to ensure that a wide range of information is easily available without the need to make specific requests for information

For information not held on the Publication Scheme or through other means, for example, our Website, any person may make a request in writing to the council asking for information.

Subject to exemptions the council is obliged to state whether it holds that information and if so is required to provide the information.

 

How to request for information from Kettering Borough Council

If you wish to make a request for information you can e-mail foi@kettering.gov.uk

Please clearly state the information that you wish us to provide and have checked on our Publication Scheme that the information is not already published.

If you need advice or assistance in making a request please email foi@kettering.gov.uk

 

What type of information can I ask for?

You can ask to have any recorded information.

This could be in the form of e-mails, notebooks, videos or tapes.

 

When will I receive the information?

In most cases, we will respond to your request within 20 working days of receiving it and, if we cannot, we will explain why and let you know when you will receive a reply.

Can my request be declined?

Kettering Borough Council will provide you with the information unless there is good reason for not doing so (e.g. your request relates to someone else's personal details).

We will provide you with a reason for declining your request. If you do not find the reason persausive, you can ask us to reconsider our decision, and if the request is still declined you can ask the Information Commissioner's Office to review that decision.

 

What format can I request information to be in?

You can say in what format you would prefer to receive the information (e.g. on paper or electronically).

How much will it cost to make a request?

A lot of information will be supplied free of charge. However, sometimes you may have to pay a fee, either to cover administration costs, or to pay photocopying or postage costs, or because of the expense involved in finding and supplying the information. You will be told in advance if a fee will apply.

How can I find out more?

For more information on Freedom of Information, visit http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/governmentcitizensandrights/yourrightsandresponsibilities/dg_4003239 or http://www.ico.gov.uk/

Please note that we do not currently publish details of all Freedom of Information requests we receive.

Last updated 19/08/2011