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Freedom of Information
Introduction
Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002
The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act
2002 received Royal Assent on 28th May 2002. The Act gives a general
right of access to all types of recorded information held by Scottish public authorities,
including South Ayrshire Council, and is designed to promote greater transparency
and accountability throughout the public sector in Scotland.
The Act comes into force in two stages:
-
From 1 June 2004, the Council is obliged under Section 23 of the
Act to adopt and maintain a Publication Scheme that sets out the classes of information
that the Council publishes or intends to publish; how it is published; and whether
there is any charge. Publication schemes are intended to encourage public
authorities to publish information pro-actively and to develop a greater culture
of openness by informing people about the Council’s decision-making processes,
structures and services.
The
Scottish Information Commissioner - an independent public official with
responsibility for enforcing the legislation - has approved South Ayrshire Council's
Publication Scheme.
- From 1 January 2005, any person who makes a request to a public
authority for information will be entitled to receive it, subject to certain limited
exemptions. This means that any information not available through the Council’s
Publication Scheme will be available upon request.
Existing Rights of Access to Information held by the Council
Under the Data Protection Act 1998, individuals already have access rights to personal
information held about them. Other legislation, including the Local Government
(Access to Information Act) 1985, also allows the public to access certain types
of information created by the Council. The Freedom of Information (Scotland)
Act 2002 will extend these rights to cover other information.
South Ayrshire Council's commitment to the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act
2002
The Council views the introduction of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act
2002 as a welcome opportunity to improve the ways in which it informs the public
it serves, and to improve the ways in which it manages the enormous amount of information
it holds. The Council is committed to conducting its business in an open and
transparent manner. The provisions of the Act will enable the public to understand
further the Council and its work, through improved access to information.
For further information, please contact:
Alison Nelson
Senior Administration Officer/FOI Lead Officer
Legal and Administration
Corporate Services Directorate
South Ayrshire Council
County Buildings
Wellington Square
AYR KA7 1DR
Tel: 01292 612462
Fax: 01292 612367
Email: foi@south-ayrshire.gov.uk
Information links
South Ayrshire Council's Publication Scheme
Introduction and classes of information available under the Council's Scheme
Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002
Information on the Freedom of Information Act.
Scottish
Government Freedom of Information
Information from the Scottish Government on the Freedom of Information Act
Scottish Information Commissioner
Information on the role and responsibilities of the Scottish Information Commissioner