Publication Scheme

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 aims to encourage greater openness and less secrecy by public authorities. As a beginning, to let everyone know what information will be automatically, or routinely, published by the Council, the Act requires all public authorities, which includes the Council, to adopt and maintain a publication scheme.

A publication scheme is required to specify the classes of information that will be made available to the public, the form in which the information will be made available and whether there is a charge payable.

In common with other Councils in Dorset, we have set out the classes of information under 13 broad headings. The headings are:-

• Benefits
• Business
• Community, People and Living
• Council and Democracy
• Education and Life Long Learning
• Emergencies
• Environment
• Health and Social Care
• Housing
• Jobs and Careers
• Leisure and Culture
• News
• Transport and Streets

In each case the Scheme gives the broad heading, and for each class under a heading "What you may see" is a description of the information that will be made available. Under the heading of "What you may not see" the class will also set out any information that might fall within the broad definition that will not be routinely published. The publication of personal information about an individual or information that is commercially sensitive is excluded from all the classes in the Scheme. The relevant information under each class will automatically be published and/or updated as required in a catalogue.

In preparing this Scheme we have taken into account the public interest. We have taken notice of the sort of information that people normally ask us for and what they are interested in. We have also considered the disclosure of information in the interests of open and accountable local government. With this in mind, we have included classes of information held by Dorset County Council and provided a link to the County Council's own publication scheme.

The Scheme does not limit in any way other rights that people have to information nor does it limit in any way the very large amount of information that we otherwise publish outside the Scheme. So, for example, planning applications will continue to be available for public inspection. Additionally we will continue publishing a large amount of material offering guidance or assistance about various services on a routine basis.

North Dorset District Council Publication Scheme

North Dorset District Council Publication Scheme

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