The Freedom of Information Act 2000

The Act is intended to promote a culture of openness and accountability amongst public authorities by giving people rights of access to information held by those authorities.

A "public authority" is defined by the Act, and includes, but is not restricted to, central and local government, the police, the National Health Service, schools, colleges and universities.

The Act imposes two main obligations on the Council.

1. The first obligation is that the Council has to adopt and maintain a publication scheme which sets out details of information it will routinely make available, how the information can be obtained and whether there is a charge for it.
2. The second obligation is that any person who makes a request to the Council for information must be informed whether the Council holds that information and, subject to certain exemptions, be supplied with that information.  The Council will normally have a maximum of twenty working days to respond to requests.  As individuals already have the right of access to information about themselves under the Data Protection Act 1998, the effect of the Act is to extend this right to allow public access to all types of information held by the Council.

In practice, most requests for information will relate to information that is readily available. The Council has decided that these cases should be dealt with on a "business as usual" basis, i.e. outside the framework adopted for dealing formally with requests under the Act. This approach avoids the need for a bureaucratic and expensive process to be added on top of those that already exist to deal with requests for information, e.g. the Customer Care Code.

Requests for information that require a great deal of research, or which are otherwise outside the "norm" should be dealt with in accordance with the procedure contained in 'Freedom of Information Act 2000 - Procedures for Handling Requests'.  Business Managers are responsible for ensuring that the procedure is followed in respect of all such requests for information relating to their service area.

Requests for Information

How to make a request

A request for information should be made in writing (including via email). The request should include:

• Your Name
• Your Address
• A description of the information sought

Who do I make the request to?

Requests for information should be made to the appropriate Business Manager of the Council (where this is known). If this is not known, requests may be made to customers@woking.gov.uk who will arrange for the request to be forwarded to the correct Business Manager. Alternatively, you may request information by the Contact the Council facility.

If you have any further queries regarding freedom of Information, please conatct Peter Bryant, Principal Solicitor on 01483 743030 or email peter.bryant@woking.gov.uk or Alan Harrison, Borough Secretary and Solicitor on 01483 743031 or email alan.harrison@woking.gov.uk