Publication Scheme

     

What is a Publication Scheme?

The Publication Scheme sets out what information Shepway District Council publishes or intends to publish as a matter of course, how and when this information will be published, and whether the information is available free of charge or on payment.

How is the information organised within the Publication Scheme?

All the information is divided into categories of information or Classes. Each Class is then subdivided further. The classes of information are based on general classification and this makes it easier to navigate around the scheme. The sub-categories will assist in finding different types of information as widely as possible to include material available on this site, one-off documents from a PC, electronic documents, printed books, reports, and leaflets. Much of the material listed in this scheme may be found on the Council’s website or in printed material freely available from the Council.

It is the Council’s intention that as much material as possible will be made available on the Council’s web pages on an ongoing basis.

How can I use the information?

The Freedom of Information Act gives a person or organisation the right to view the information, it does not give an automatic right to re-use the documents or information.

Re-use would include making multiple copies, publishing and issuing copies to the public. In order to re-use the information in this way, permission must be given by Shepway District Council, usually in the form of a copyright licence. Please contact the Information Officer in writing giving full details of the information you wish to re-use, the purpose of the use, your name and address

How much will it cost to get the information?

There is no charge for making a request for information, however charges may be applied for providing copies, or if significant amounts of work or copying of printed material is required.

Under the Freedom of Information Act, Shepway District Council can refuse to provide information to an applicant, if the cost of complying with a request exceeds the ‘appropriate limit’. The appropriate limit for local authorities is £450 or 18 hours work as indicated by the Lord Chancellor.

Costs also appear in relation to specific documents in the Publication Scheme and where this is the case the cost associated with the document is as shown.

How current is the information?

At Shepway District Council we aim to ensure that the information we provide is as up to date as possible. Each Directorate has an Information Representative who is responsible ensuring their directorate information is current.

The Publication Scheme will be reviewed on a regular basis.

How long will it take to answer my request?

The Council aims to respond to your request within 20 working days from the receipt of your request. If we are unable to do so we will contact you to explain why. We may ask for more information to help us complete your request.