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All citizens have a right to know what Northumbria Police
Authority is doing, how we are doing it and how to take
part. You already have a right to access some of the information
produced by the Authority. This includes the right to attend
most meetings, with access to most of the agendas, reports,
minutes and background papers of these meetings and our
forward plan.
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 extends your rights
and requires us to produce a Publication Scheme detailing
the information that we publish regularly.
Northumbria Police Authority is committed to providing a
wide range of information in a variety of formats wherever
possible and views the Freedom of Information Act as an
opportunity to extend and improve our service to the public.
What is a publication scheme?
What about information that isn't listed in
the publication scheme?
Why can the Authority withhold information?
Further Information
What
is a publication scheme?
A publication scheme is a text document detailing the many
different types of information published by Northumbria
Police Authority in a clear and structured way. Information
is classified by type, saving you time and effort by making
it easier for you to find what you want.
The Information Commissioner approved our Publication Scheme
in early May 2003. You can view or download a copy here
or request a printed copy from the Information Rights Officer,
Northumbria Police Authority, Civic Centre, Gateshead, NE8
1HH or e-mail to informationrights@gateshead.gov.uk
or telephone (0191) 433 2170.
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What
about information that isn't listed in the publication scheme?
From January 2005 you will have a general right of access
to most of the information we hold. This right covers information
recorded in any form and obtained from any source, not just
documents published by Northumbria Police Authority.
Access requests must be made in writing and you may have
to pay a fee. The government has not set the fee yet but
it is likely to be 10% of the cost of locating and retrieving
the information plus the actual cost of photocopying and
postage. Public authorities like the Northumbria Police
Authority must respond to requests within 20 working days
confirming:
- whether
any information is held
- a
copy of all information that can be released
- the
exemptions applying to any information withheld
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Why
can the Authority withhold information?
The Act is one of a number of national policies to modernise
government and encourage more open and accountable decision
making but there are some exemptions to the right of access.
We can withhold information like details of legal proceedings,
information provided in confidence or covered by the Data
Protection Act 1998.
We do not have to provide information if the cost of locating
and retrieving it is £600 or more and we can refuse
requests from anyone who repeatedly asks for the same or
similar information.
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Further
Information
If you have any questions about your rights
under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 please contact
the Information Rights Officer, Northumbria Police Authority,
Civic Centre, Gateshead, NE8 1HH or e-mail to informationrights@gateshead.gov.uk
or telephone (0191) 433 2170.
You can also get information leaflets and advice from:
· The Information Commissioner's website at www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk
or by telephone on 01625 545745.
· The Lord Chancellor's Department website at www.lcd.gov.uk
· The Campaign for Freedom of Information's website
at www.cfoi.org.uk
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