Re-using the Council’s Information
Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2015
The
Re-Use of Public Sector Information Regulations are intended to encourage and make it easier to re-use
information produced by public organisations. Under these Regulations the Council looks at the information it holds
and whether it can be re-used.
What is meant by re-use?
Re-use means the use of information for any purpose other than that for which it was originally produced. For example, this
would mean an individual, company or other organisation taking information that we have produced and re-publishing it or using
it to produce a new resource.
What is public sector information
Public sector information is any information which is produced, held or distributed by a public sector body as part of its ‘public
tasks’. This information can be in any format and includes documents such as reports, financial data, codes of practice, public
records, statistics, images, press releases, publication schemes and information which the Council holds copyright to.
Copyright
Information for which the Council holds the copyright may be released under access
to information legislation but this does not automatically imply permission to reproduce
it. Information released can be used for private purposes, but must not be used
for commercial purposes unless you have advised you wish to re-use it. The Council
must ensure the conditions for the re-use are clear and in keeping with the Council's
copyright. Please note – these regulations do not affect the Council’s copyright.
Information we can’t release
Some information cannot be released under the regulations:
- Information with third-party copyright
- Information that is not produced as part of our public task
- Information we cannot disclose as per the:
Apply for Re-Use
You must submit your request in writing and include:
- Information you wish to re-use
- Name and correspondence address
- Purpose the information is intended to be used for
Our Re-use Regulations application form
can be used to make your request.
All requests should be made to:
Freedom of Information
South Ayrshire Council
County Buildings, Wellington Square
AYR, KA7 1DR
Email: FOI@south-ayrshire.gov.uk
What happens after you make a request
We will respond within 20 working days unless an extension is required due to the extensive quantity or complexity of the
information requested.
The information is collated and a decision will be made regarding the following:
- If the information can be released
- If the information can be re-used
- If a licence for re-use is required
- If a charge applies
The Council will advise you of the above together with conditions for re-use and any fee that may apply. This must be paid before
the information will be released. The information will be made available in an electronic format where possible.
Licence and Cost
Information available through the Council’s Open Data Web Page offered
under the Open Government Licence. The Open
Government Licence allows re-use of information without charge for any purpose with minimal conditions. Information provided under
other licences may be chargeable.
Any costs will be levied based on a reasonable rate of return for the re-use of the information. We will keep you informed of costs
at the time of the application. Additional charges may be made for costs of reproduction, provision and dissemination of
documents. Unlike FOI and EIRs there are no fixed fee limits. Charges are determined on case-by-case basis, and will take into account:
- The Council’s intellectual property (i.e. its commercial value)
- Staff time
- Disbursements (i.e. postage and packaging)
Re-using information
When re-using the information you must acknowledge South Ayrshire Council.
You must not use the information for any illegal purposes or in a way which is harmful to the purpose for which it was originally
created.
Complaints
If you are dissatisfied with the way your request to re-use information has been handled, you can make a complaint. The complaints
procedure under the Regulations works in the same way as the complaints procedure for FOI and EIRs. Please refer to the Council’s
Corporate Complaints Procedure.
The Government Department that oversees Public Sector Information (PSI) is the Office for Public Sector Information (OPSI). If you are
not satisfied with the Council’s response to your complaint, you can complain direct to the OPSI.
Further details on making a complaint to the OPSI is available at: OPSI Complaints Procedure.
Our Contact Details
Freedom of Information
South Ayrshire Council
County Buildings
Wellington Square
AYR, KA7 1DR
Email: FOI@south-ayrshire.gov.uk
Tel: 01292 612223