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Freedom of Information Publication SchemeGUIDE TO INFORMATION AVAILABLE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION - PUBLICATION SCHEME v5 (rev 1) (This version supersedes all earlier versions) INTRODUCTION 1. LEGAL REQUIREMENT 1.1 Adopting a publication scheme is a requirement of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. This Act promotes greater openness and accountability across the public sector by requiring all ‘public authorities’ to make information available proactively, through a publication scheme. 1.2 ‘Public authorities’ are defined in the Act and include universities, further education colleges and sixth form colleges. 2. WHAT IS A PUBLICATION SCHEME? 2.1 A publication scheme is a guide to the information routinely published by a public authority, or which it is intended to publish. These descriptions are called ‘classes of information’. The scheme is not a list of the actual publications, because this will change as new material is published or existing material revised. It is, however, a public authority’s commitment to make available the information described. 2.2 The publication scheme must set out the classes, or categories, of information published. It must also make clear how the information described can be accessed and whether or not charges will be made. 3. THE ‘MODEL’ PUBLICATION SCHEME FOR FURTHER EDUCATION 3.1 Barnsley College will adopt the new model publication scheme (v2.0 May 2008) developed for the Further Education sector from the 1st January 2009 and the College is committed to publishing the information it describes. 3.2 This model is designed for further education colleges across 4 WHO WE ARE 4.1 The College’s Vision: § To be recognised for excellence in standards and quality by implementing strategies that put learners first and lead to success § To be a Beacon College respected across the sector for the way we deliver learning. Key Beliefs: § We value learners and put them at the heart of everything we do § We see learning as a joy in itself as well as a means to an end § We enable learners to take responsibility for their own learning § We treat students as individuals, respecting and responding to their needs and beliefs § We provide a safe and exciting place in which to work and study § We continue to support learners after they have completed their study for as long as they need us § We value, support, develop and enable our staff § We will meet the needs of employers through responsive, innovative and high quality service § We value our working relationships with external agencies/partners/employers and other stakeholders 5. ACCESSING INFORMATION COVERED BY THE PUBLICATION SCHEME 5.1 The College’s publication scheme is available: § On the College’s website www.barnsley.ac.uk § In the College’s Falcon Learning Resource Centre, Falcon Street, Barnsley § From Administration Services, Barnsley College § In Barnsley Central Library, 5.2 The classes of information we publish are described in the second part of the scheme. 5.3 Next to each class we have indicated the manner in which the information described will be available. Please read 7 below regarding the College’s charging policy. 5.4 To request information available through our publication scheme, please contact: Head of Administration Services PO Box 266 S70 2YW Tel: 01226 216216 Email: FOI@barnsley.ac.uk A downloadable ‘Request for Information’ form is also available on the College’s website. 5.5 Many of the routinely published documents are available for free download on the College’s website 5.6 If we have indicated that some information is available to ‘View in College by appointment only’, you will need to contact the College’s Information Officer (details as above). You will then be contacted within 5 working days to invite you into College at a mutually convenient time to view the information. 5.7 Please note that a publication scheme relates to ‘published’ information. If the information you require is not available in a single document already produced in College as a matter of routine, we will do our best to direct you to a number of other documents that may provide the information you are requesting. 5.8 Requests for information that is not routinely available will have to be made in writing and, in general, public authorities will have 20 working days to respond. 6. WHAT ABOUT INFORMATION NOT COVERED BY THE PUBLICATION SCHEME? 6.1 From 1 January 2005 you have the right, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, to request any information held by a public authority which it has not already made available through its publication scheme. 6.2 The College will not be required to release information if any of the information requested falls under one of the 23 exemptions. However, it may be that the exemption covers only part of one specific document, and in this case we will release the information which is not exempt and explain to the applicant why it is not releasing exempt information. 7. CHARGING 7.1 Freedom of Information requests for information that is routinely available will be free of charge as it is envisaged that the cost in providing the information will be less than £450 as set down by the Lord Chancellor. If it becomes evident that the cost of retrieving information is likely to be above £450, the College will discuss charges with the individual requester prior to releasing the information. 8. FEEDBACK 8.1 It is important that this publication scheme meets your needs. If you find the scheme difficult to understand, please let us know. We also welcome suggestions as to how our scheme might be improved. Any questions, comments or complaints about this scheme should be sent in the first instance in writing to: Head of Administration Services Barnsley College PO Box 266 Barnsley South Yorkshire S70 2YW 8.2 If we are unable to resolve your complaint informally, please write to the Head of Quality and Standards at the above address. 8.3 If we are still unable to resolve any complaint, you can complain to the Information Commissioner, the independent body who oversees the Freedom of Information Act: Information Commissioner Wycliffe House Water Lane Wilmslow Cheshire SK9 5AF 9. FURTHER INFORMATION More information about the Freedom of Information Act is available on the Information Commissioner’s website at: www.ico.gov.uk or the Department for Constitutional Affairs website at: www.foi.gov.uk Please note that Scotland has its own Freedom of Information Act and Information Commissioner. Article OptionsYou Recently Viewed...LATEST NEWS & EVENTS
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