INTRODUCTION:
Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA), Blaengwrach Community Council (the Council) has a duty to adopt and maintain a Publication Scheme describing:
THE CLASSES OF INFORMATION IT PUBLISHES;
HOW AND WHERE SUCH INFORMATION IS PUBLISHED (e.g. Website, paper copy etc.);
WHETHER OR NOT A CHARGE (fee) IS MADE FOR SUCH INFORMATION.
The Council has adopted the “Model Scheme” as in Appendix 1 below.
The purpose of the Council`s Publication Scheme is to let everyone know what information will be automatically or routinely published by the Council and to ensure that a significant amount of information is available to the public, without the need for a specific request to be made.
Other information is, of course, available from the Council by individual request, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) and the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA).
If there is any information required that does NOT appear in the Council`s Publication Scheme or if you have any comments or suggestions on how it can be improved, please contact The Clerk to Blaengwrach Community Council, The Welfare Hall, Heol Y Felin, Cwmgwrach, Neath SA11 5TB; email: blaengwrach.clerk@gmail.com
OBTAINING INFORMATION:
Much of the information listed in the Council`s Publication Scheme is supplied free of charge and can be downloaded from our website: www.blaengwrachcommunitycouncil.org/
Where information is available only in paper format, this is stated in the Publication Scheme and can be viewed by appointment with the Clerk to the Council or a copy can be requested.
INFORMATION NOT CONTAINED WITHIN THE PUBLICATION SCHEME & EXEMPTIONS:
The FOIA created a general right of access to information, it also set out information that the Council DOES NOT HAVE TO MAKE AVAILABLE for specific reasons, called exemptions. This is information that, if published, might prejudice the health, safety or security of the Council, its staff, systems, services or property or breached an individual`s Data Protection rights.
If information is requested but is covered by an exemption, the Clerk to the Council will tell the applicant, in writing, why the Council has refused the request and quote the relevant exemption(s). If the information requested IS NOT DISCLOSED, the applicant can ask the Information Commissioner to review the Council`s decision. The Information Commissioner`s Office is the Government Department that oversees and enforces the FOI. They can be contacted by the following link: www.ico.gov.uk/
DATA PROTECTION:
You have the right to request access to the information we have on you. You can do this by contacting our Data Protection Officer: blaengwrach.clerk@gmail.com
CHARGES/FEES:
The Council`s Fees and Charges are stated at the end of the Publication Scheme. Unless otherwise stated, publications listed in our Publication Scheme are supplied free of charge.
If administration cost exceed £450.00 (four hundred & fifty pounds), to enable a Freedom of Information request to be met, then the Council is able to charge the requestor for the administration cost in meeting the request.
A charge may also be made for photocopies.
MANAGEMENT of the COUNCIL`S PUBLICATION SCHEME:
The Council is responsible for the adoption and maintenance of this Policy and the Publication Scheme.
REVIEW of the FREEDOM of INFORMATION POLICY and PUBLICATION SCHEME:
The Council Freedom of Information Policy and Publication Scheme was adopted on 19th May 2022 and will be amended periodically as necessary. The Scheme will be reviewed annually.
APPENDIX 1: INFORMATION AVAILABLE FROM THE BLAENGWRACH COMMUNITY COUNCIL UNDER THE MODEL PUBLICATION SCHEME:
CLASS 1 – Who we are and what we do:
Organisational information, structures, locations and contacts. THIS WILL BE CURRENT INFORMATION ONLY.
Information to be Published: How can the Information be Obtained: Cost:
Who`s who on the Council & Website; On request from the Clerk; Free its Committees:
Contact Details for the Website; On request from the Clerk; Free Clerk and Council Members Council Noticeboards;
Location of the Main Office Website; Free
of the Council;
Council telephone number Website; Free
and email address;
Staffing Structure: (NOTE:) On request from the Clerk Free
(NAMES, ADDRESSES, PAY
DETAILS ETC. WILL NOT BE
MADE AVAILABLE).