Access to INfo Flashcards
FOI act 2000
Public bodies are required to give information to anybody requesting it
include: local councils, government departments, hospitals, schools, colleges
foi time limit?
20 working days
info that’s absolutely exempt?
court orders
national security
exempt until proven public interest?
ongoing criminal investigations
commercial confidentiality
formulating gov policy i.e. cabinet meeting minutes
When can a request be refused?
vexatious/repeated
if costs over £600 for central gov
if costs over £450 for local gov
How to appeal
ask them to reconsider
Can appeal to INdependent INformation Commissioner
highest appeal is an information tribunal
Why is FOi act useful?
holds bodies to account
i.e. MP expenses scandal thanks to Heather Brooke
good source for news stories
data protection act
have the right to know what info is held about you personally.
Information Commissioner can prosecute anyone who fails to protect this data
council meetings police crime commissioner meetings boards of clinical commissioning groups ambulance trusts fire authorities
public and journalists can attend any and all.
Also have right to associated notes, minutes, documents.
When can public be excluded from meetings?
if info is confidential ie. from a government dept.
if info is exempt i.e.
protected by court order i.e. child involved in court proceedings
individual financial info
labour relations matters
legal proceedings
Process for excluding press from meetings
must be formally proposed, seconded and voted on by members at the meeting- with good reason given.
WHen motions to exclude fail
Public must be given access to meeting and to all relevant documents
qualified privilege
i.e. in council meetings. Right to report with accuracy and fairness and without malice
What do councils have to publish online?
spending over £500 to suppliers senior employee salaries councillor allowances/expenses reg of members interests copies of contracts grants to voluntary sector council constitution council financial accounts
Hansard
record of everything said and done in parliament
now online
usually updated two to three hours behind real-time
