Freedom of Information Act

The Freedom of Information Act 2000

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 gives you the right to access information held by public authorities including Chester City Council.

The Act came into force in November 2005.

However, from 28 February 2003 public authorities must adopt and maintain a publication scheme.

Our commitment to the act

The Council has a Corporate Plan, which aims to improve the quality of life for people in Chester. One of the 6 principles of the plan is Communication.

We are committed to developing a variety of communication methods so that everyone is able to access information about what we do.

This Publication Scheme forms part of that commitment.

What is a Publication Scheme?

A Publication Scheme provides a structured list of information routinely released and contains a commitment to make this information available to all.

The scheme must set out:

• the way the information is structured
• how the information will be made available for example as a document in the form of a report or memo, or in computerised format as a database or web page
• whether the Council intends to charge for providing the information

Please note that Chester City Council's Publication Scheme does not refer to any other  organisation. The information refers only to Chester City Council.

What are the benefits of the scheme?

The scheme will act as a signpost to the many different types of information we produce. The aim is to save people time and effort in finding information.

What about information already available?

Access to information about the Council is nothing new. For example;

• there is already a public right of access to our meetings, reports and background documents
• planning applications are open to public inspection
• you can access a wide range of our environmental information

 

These rights will not be affected.

However, a great deal of information we hold is personal and private to individuals. The Data Protection Act 1998 gives an individual the right to obtain a copy of any personal information held about him or her. The Freedom of Information Act will not make private and confidential information public.

How to obtain information under the scheme?

We will make much of the information available on our website. Links are provided for you to access it easily. A hard copy of the Publication Scheme is also available at our offices at The Forum, Chester.

Where the information is available other than via the website, the scheme gives details of who you need to contact including a phone number and where possible an e-mail address.

You can also make an appointment to see the information at our offices.

If you have any difficulties please contact:

The Communications Manager
Chester City Council
The Forum
Chester
CH1 2HS
Tel: 01244 402547

Email: communications@chester.gov.uk

You can also fax us on 01244 325338 or contact us on Minicom on 01244 320915.

Many documents prepared by the council are available in large print, Braille, on audio cassette and computer disk. For more information contact the council's access officer at the above address and Tel: 01244 402455

 Email: disabilityaccess@chester.gov.uk

We can translate documents and information on request. We are members of Language Line, the telephone interpretation and translation service.

What about information not covered by the scheme?

If the information you are looking for is not available under the Publication Scheme you can still ask us for it. We will make the information available on request wherever possible. When asking for information please include the following details:

• your name and address
• the information or documents you would like to see
• the way you would like the information sent to you (for example as hard copy or via e-mail)

Cheshire County Council's Publication Scheme

Cheshire County Council delivers some services, and it is possible that the information you require will be found through their publication scheme

Examples of services they provide are Education, Social Services, Libraries and Environment

This link will take you to the Cheshire County Council website (External Link)

Are any there charges?

Information referred to in the scheme will usually be free of charge. Where charges do apply, this will be clearly stated.

If you request information that is not available under the scheme, we will give as much information as possible available free of charge. However, where it takes considerable time to gather or prepare information, we will charge. We will tell you the cost before doing the work and ask you whether you want to continue with your request.