Freedom of information: publication scheme
The Standards Board for England has produced this publication scheme under Section 19 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA). The intention of publication schemes is to promote openness and transparency in decision-making.
Under Section 19 of the FOIA, each public authority must produce a publication scheme. This sets out what information we will make available as a matter of course, how and when we will do so and whether or not this information is free of charge.
- Our publication scheme
- How do we make information available, and what charges apply?
- Copyright and the Standards Board for England publication scheme
- Freedom of Information
- Access to personal information under the Data Protection Act 1998
- Complaints and appeals
Our publication scheme
Our publication scheme sets out:
- what information we will publish as a matter of course
- how this information will be published
- whether we will charge for providing it or not
In order to make it easier to see what types of information we will make available, our scheme is divided into four broad areas of information.
The classes of information are:
- information about the Standards Board for England
- policy and guidance on the ethical framework established by Part III of the Local Government Act 2000
- handling of allegations of breaches of the Code of Conduct
- handling of investigations
We provide our scheme in two formats: on our website (from which a printable version is available) and on paper (either in the form of simple documents printed from a desktop computer or, in some cases, printed leaflets and booklets). This is the case in relation to all classes except for Class B6 (communications videos). These will be available in DVD format.
The scheme is generally not retrospective. Information will not necessarily be available through the scheme indefinitely. Information relating to a specific date will be removed after six years. They will only then be available if a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 is made. Policies and similar documents will be removed when they are no longer current.
How do we make information available, and what charges apply?
As stated above, all the information included in our publication scheme except for class B6 (Communications videos) is available from our website or on paper.
Website
When the information is given on our website or another website, the web address will be given and a link provided. When the link is to another website the information is the responsibility of the other organisation, not the Standards Board for England.
By post
Information will be posted on request, following the receipt of any fee applicable. We aim to despatch the information within 20 working days of receipt of your request and fee. We do not provide printouts of other people's websites.
Charges
Some information we produce is available free. For other types of information we may charge a fee. Charges will be based on a flat fee and will apply as follows:
- Website - free of charge unless stated.
- Copies of information by post - when a document which is on our website is printed and sent out we will provide a single printout free of charge. Further copies will be charged at 20 pence per page.
- Communications videos - we will send one copy of our latest DVD, 'The Code Uncovered', to every monitoring officer and County Association secretary free of charge. There is a charge of £38 per extra copy requested.
Copyright and the Standards Board for England publication scheme
Material on this site is protected by copyright. The copyright owner is the Standards Board for England. You may not make alterations or additions to the material on this site, or sell it or misappropriate it. Material may be downloaded or copied for personal use. However, appropriate acknowledgment of the copyright owner is required if material is re-published in any format.
Freedom of Information
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 came into force on 1 January 2005. The act applies to all public authorities, which includes the Standards Board for England. It applies to all information in a recorded form; for example a written document, an email or information stored electronically.
What are my key rights?
Under the Freedom of Information Act you have the right:
- to know whether we hold the information you request
- and to access that information (wherever possible)
Anyone anywhere in the world can make a request. There are no restrictions on your age, nationality or where you live. You do not have to provide reasons why you are seeking access to the information.
How can I make a request?
You can write to the chief executive at the Standards Board for England. Alternatively, you can email us at foi@standardsboard.gov.uk. Requests for information must be made in writing/email and you must supply your name and address when making the application.
It will help us respond to your request more quickly if you tell us the exact information you require. If your request is unclear we may have to ask you to be more specific before we respond. If your request is too broad it may be turned down on grounds of cost. Please let us know how you would like the information sent to you and we will meet your preference where we can.
Will I have to pay for the information?
Most requests are dealt with for free, although you may be asked to pay a small amount for photocopying or postage. However, if we consider that the cost of your request is likely to exceed the current limit of £450, we may either turn down your request or charge you the full cost of dealing with it. If payment is required, we will carry out the search only when payment has been received.
How long will it take?
We will reply to your request promptly and in any event within 20 days working days after we receive it, unless there are specific reasons which prevent us from doing so. If we need more time to respond we will write to you to explain why and to tell you when we will provide an answer.
What if the information is refused?
If we decide we are unable to provide the information requested, we will explain why we are not releasing it. You can request a review if you are dissatisfied with the reasons given for refusal.
Access to personal information under the Data Protection Act 1998
You can access information about yourself under the Data Protection Act 1998. The right applies to all information the Standards Board for England holds either in computerised or paper form and which is easily identifiable as information about you and which can be readily retrieved.
How can I make a request for information held about me?
You can write to the chief executive at the Standards Board for England. You will need to supply proof of your identity, including a photocopy of the identification pages of your current passport or of a current photo driving licence and the original of a current utility bill, credit card or bank statement, which includes your name and current address. These will be returned to you when we respond to your request.
Please note: Section 31 of the Data Protection Act provides that the Standards Board and its ethical standards officers are entitled to refuse individuals access to information about them, where such a disclosure "would be likely to prejudice the proper discharge" of their statutory responsibilities.
More information
You can get more information about your rights under the Freedom of Information Act and the Data Protection Act from the Information Commissioner’s Office and the Department for Constitutional Affairs, whose contact details are provided below.
Complaints and appeals
If you are unhappy with the way we have handled your request, with the fee we have charged or the reasons we have given for refusing to provide the information, you have the right to request a review and/or complain by writing to the Head of Legal at the Standards Board for England.
If you are unhappy with the response to the review you may write to the Information Commissioner at the address below. The Information Commissioner is responsible for enforcing the operation of the Freedom of Information Act and the Data Protection Act.
If you are still unhappy after receiving a response you can complain to the Parliamentary Ombudsman. Complaints to the Parliamentary Ombudsman must be directed through your Member of Parliament.
In case of a failure to deliver information through the publication scheme, you may also appeal directly to the Information Commissioner at any time.
Contact information
Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Telephone: 01625 545 700
Website: www.ico.gov.uk
Selborne House
54 Victoria Street
London
SW1E 6QW
United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7210 8500
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7210 0647
Website: www.justice.gov.uk
More information on the classes of information in our publication scheme can be downloaded below.
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