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FOI - Publication Scheme

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 applies to England, Wales, and Northern Ireland and came into force from 1 January 2005. The Act gives the public a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities, subject to certain exemptions. Publication schemes are intended to make information available to everyone, and to encourage openness within government organisations and public bodies generally. Peterborough City Council has been required to adopt and maintain a publication scheme since February 2003. A Publication Scheme is intended to let you know what kind of information is routinely issued to the public by a public authority. In the case of Peterborough City Council's Scheme this includes web pages as well as printed publications.

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What is a publication scheme?

A publication scheme is a document detailing the many different types of information the Council produce, in a clear and structured way. Information is classified by type, saving you time and effort by making it easier for you to find what you want. Our publication scheme is currently under review.

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What about information that isn't listed in the publication scheme?

From January 2005 you will have a general right of access to different types of information held by the council. This right covers information recorded in any form and obtained from any source, not just documents published by the council. Access requests must be made in writing (including e-mail) and you may have to pay a fee.

  • Whether any information is held
  • A copy of all information that can be released
  • The exemptions applying to any information withheld

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Why can the council withhold information?

The Act is one of a number of national policies to modernise government and encourage more open and accountable decision making but there are some exemptions to the right of access. The council can withhold information like details of legal proceedings, information provided in confidence or covered by the Data Protection Act 1998.

We do not have to provide information if the cost of locating and retrieving it is £450 or more and we can refuse requests from anyone who repeatedly asks for the same or similar information.

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Structure of the scheme

The PCC publication scheme is divided into the following seven general categories that are designed to be easy to understand and to allow the user to find information quickly:

  • Who we are and what we do?  This will show organisational information, locations, 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 process, internal criteria and procedures as well as consultations
  • Our policies and procedures
  • Lists and Registers
  • The services we provide

These categories are divided into sub-categories which are further broken down into the Classes of Information. Classes describe in more detail what is available in the scheme. Information can be in the form of printed material such as reports and leaflets, or in a variety of other media, such as links to websites.

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Key to classes

This key will be used in each class of information to identify whether there is a charge for a copy of the information and to identify the format in which the information in each class may be available.  £ = Indicates there may be a charge for this information.

Formats available:

  • IT=Internet
  • PP=Paper
  • AD=Audio
  • IS=By Inspection
  • LF=Leaflet/Booklet
  • LP=Large Print
  • LG=Other Languages
  • BR=Braille

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Charges

It is a requirement of the Publication Scheme that it states whether information included in it is, or is intended to be, available free of charge or on payment. There will be no charge for information that costs public bodies less than £450 to produce but the actual cost of printing, photocopying and postage may be charged for. PCC wishes to make as much information as possible available free of charge, though there will be instances where this is not possible.

number of pages of information

comprising the copy

 
fewer than 20 £1
20-29 £2
30-39 £3
40-49 £4
50-59 £5
60-69 £6
70-79 £7
80-89 £8
90-99 £9
100-149 £10
150-199 £15
200-249 £20
250-299 £25
300-349 £30
350-399 £35
400-499 £40
450-499 £45
500 or more £50

Postage

First class up to 100g

Second class up to 100g

 

36p

27p

CD-Rom

40p

In broad terms the following conditions will apply:

Website: free of charge unless otherwise specified

E-mail: free of charge unless otherwise stated

Material printed from website at City Council public access terminals: a charge may be levied to cover the cost of printing.

Publications produced by the City Council for sale: As per cover price

Charges will be kept under review. There is no intention to charge for material that has previously been made available free of charge.

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Accessibility and Other Languages

We intend to ensure that the Scheme is made accessible to people with disabilities, from disadvantaged communities and speakers of other languages by taking a consistent approach to that adopted for our Race Equality Scheme.

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Review of the Publication Scheme

The PCC Publication Scheme will be kept under review as will the scope for adding new Classes of Information. The Publication Scheme will be fully reviewed and submitted for re-approval as required by the Information Commissioner.

Further Information and Contact Details

If you have any questions, queries or complaints about your rights under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 please see contact details below.

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Further information is also available from the Information Commissioner at:

Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

Telephone 01625 545745

www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk

Contact officer: Information Specialist

Email: foi@peterborough.gov.uk

Town Hall
Bridge Street
Peterborough
PE1 1HG

If you need information in large print, audio cassette, Braille, translation (written or verbal) or signed interpretation, let us know when you contact us.

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Who we are and what we do?

Below there are some examples of the kind of information via the website.  If you cannot find what you are looking for then please contact the information Specialist, foi@peterborough.gov.uk

Peterborough City Council has a constitution.

You can find the Location and opening time for the customer service centre.

This link will provide you with information on who your local councillor is and how to contact them.  You can also view The results of the most recent election.

Our connections with our neighbouring authorities, www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk www.southkesteven.gov.uk www.eastnorthants.gov.uk www.southholland.gov.uk, www.fenland.gov.uk

You  can also see information on Local hospitals, local police and the local fire service.

What we spend and how we spend it?

Below there are some examples of the kind of information available via the website.  If you cannot find what you are looking for then please contact the Information Officer, foi@peterborough.gov.uk.

You can view budget documents by clicking here or view details regarding the capital programme or spending reviews.

You can view audit reports here or the district auditors report here.  You can also find our internal financial regulations by clicking here.

Details regarding the members allowance scheme can be found here.

You can view deails of contracts awarded here and further financial information for projects and events here.

You can find further details on our work with our  partners with the following links:

What are our priorities and how we are doing?

Below there are some examples of the kind of information available via the website. If you cannot find what you are looking for then please contact the Information Officer, foi@peterborough.gov.uk

You can view the council’s budget here and also the performance of the council here.

You can view our strategies and business plans, as well as the best value local performance plan or the comprehensive performance assessment. You can also see the best value performance indicators and the district auditor’s report on these indicators as well as the report on the plan.

You may also wish to view our service standards or equality impact assessments.

You can also see upcoming decisions as part of our forward plan.

You can access strategies for the sub regional economic strategy and also the regional economic strategy of the East of England Regional Economic Strategy.

We are also subject to internal and external performance reviews.

You can see the housing inspection report, the Joint Area Review report and the supporting people report or see all of the Audit Commission’s reports on Peterborough City Council.

We also have statistical information produced in accordance with the Council’s requirements.

How we make decisions?

Below there are some examples of the kind of information available via the website. If you cannot find what you are looking for then please contact the Information Officer, foi@peterborough.gov.uk

You can see a schedule of council meetings as well as agendas, reports, papers and minutes of council committees here. You can also see public consultations here.

Policy proposals and decisions can be viewed here and the guidance on the criteria used for decision making can be viewed within the constitution.

Our policies and procedures

Below there are some examples of the kind of information available via the website. If you cannot find what you are looking for then please contact the Information Specialist, foi@peterborough.gov.uk

You can see the policies and procedures for conducting council business and delivering our services.

We have policies for the recruitment and employment of staff which can be viewed here.

We have a customer service policy and a complaints procedure if you are not happy with the Council’s service.

You can view the records management and personal data policies.

Below are a selection of charges and policies regarding Council services:

Information on other charges can be obtained by contacting the Information Officer, foi@peterborough.gov.uk

Lists and Registers

Below there are some examples of the kind of information available via the website. If you cannot find what you are looking for then please contact the Information Specialist, foi@peterborough.gov.uk

You can view information on the Electoral Register and how to obtain information such as births, deaths and marriages from the Register Office.

You can view the disclosure logs for Freedom of Information and Data Protection Act requests here.

You can view information on the register of councillors’ financial and other interests here.

You can find out information on highways, licensing, planning and rights of way from the Council.

Services provided by the Council

Below there are some examples of the kind of information available via the website. If you cannot find what you are looking for then please contact the Information Officer, foi@peterborough.gov.uk

You can find out about regulatory and licensing responsibilities such as Trading Standards, licensing and street trading, or house of multiple occupation.

You can find our about the services we provide for local businesses or for other organisations through Housing Improvements and Repairs, or New Link or Health and Safety.

You can also view an A to Z of all the Council’s services.

The Council also provides some services where we are entitled to recover a fee for such services as Planning, Parking and Highways.

You can also find information to help visitors discover Peterborough, our libraries, museums and events.

We also publish Your Peterborough as well as many other leaflets to help with living in Peterborough. You can also access advice and guidance on a wide range of subjects including Housing Benefit, Council Tax, grants, housing and licensing.

It is also possible to view news from the Council in our press releases.