Doncaster Council

What is the Freedom of Information Act 2000

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 people have a right of access to information held by the council and other public authorities.  This helps to promote openness, transparency and confidence in your dealings with the council. On a daily basis the council answers many requests for information, the Act, however, allows further access to information that might not currently be available to the general public. However, there are certain exemptions to this. 

This should lead to a better understanding about:

• how public authorities carry out their duties 
• why they make the decisions they do 
• how they spend public money        

The Information Commissioner’s website www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk  includes a general introduction to the Freedom of Information Act and guidance on how to exercise your rights under the Act.

The Department of Constitutional Affairs website, www.foi.gov.uk, provides background information and specific guidance such as codes of practice and secondary legislation.

How to make a request for information

Anyone can ask for information they believe is held by the council. The council must acknowledge and respond to the request within 20 working days.

If you would like to ask for a copy of information then the request must be made in writing and sent to:
Customer Service Performance Team
Doncaster Council
PO Box 251
The Council House
College Road
Doncaster
DN1 3DA

Fax Number
01302 737510

E-mail Address
foi@doncaster.gov.uk

• Freedom of Information Request Form

Appeals

If you are not satisfied with the council’s response to your request for information then you should put your appeal in writing and send it to:

Strategy and Projects Team
Doncaster Council
Nether Hall
Nether Hall Road
Doncaster
DN1 2PN

Fax Number
01302 734362

E-mail
Info.management@doncaster.gov.uk

If you are still not satisfied by the council’s response then you can appeal to the Information Commissioner’s office at

Information Commissioner's Office in Wilmslow, England
Wycliffe House  
Water Lane  
Wilmslow  
Cheshire  
SK9 5AF 

fax: 01625 524 510 
DX  20819

E-mail
mail@ico.gsi.gov.uk

The Publication Scheme

The publication scheme is essentially a guide to information currently published by the council. It is not a list of the actual publications since this will be constantly changing as information is published and withdrawn but rather it is a description of the classes or types of information published. Access to information that is already published can be achieved by following the A – Z on the council’s web site or by asking at any council office.  Alernatively, you can access the web site free of charge at any library.

The aim of this publication scheme is to set out

• The classes of information that the council publishes or intends to publish
• How this information will be published
• Whether the information is available free of charge or on payment        

The scheme refers to items published in several different formats, including paper and electronic documents, printed booklets and leaflets, catalogues and magazines. However, some material will be made available for inspection only and a fee may be payable to access some information.

• Publication Scheme