The Freedom of Information Act 2000 gives individuals the right
of access to all types of 'recorded' information held (subject to
certain exemptions) and aims to increase openess and accountability
within public authorities. As a local authority, Amber Valley
Borough Council is committed to complying with the requirements of
the FOI Act.
Public authorities have two main responsibilities under the Act:
to produce a 'Publication Scheme' (a guide to the information held
which is publicly available) and dealing with individual requests
for information.
Anyone is able to make a request for information, although the
request must be made in writing, including e-mail. The request must
contain the applicant's name and address and clear details of the
information sought. An Information Request Form is available on
this site. The Act gives applicants two related rights:
- to be told whether the information is held by the public
authority,
- to receive the information (and where possible, in the manner
requested, i.e. as a copy or summary, or the applicant may ask to
inspect a record).
Public authorities are obliged to provide information recorded
both before and after the Act was passed. A response must be
provided to the applicant within 20 working days unless a fee or
exemption applies.
CHARGING FOR INFORMATION
Most of the information we hold is available free of charge.
However, certain information and multiple copies of documents will
be subject to a fee. Click Here for the
Council's charging policy, you may find it useful to read
before making a request for information.