St Erth

Below are details from the former Penwith District Council concerning the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and how the Council applied it to their publication of. This page will be replaced with similar details from Cornwall Council once it is available.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000
Publication Scheme
of thePenwith District CouncilSt ClarePenzanceCornwallTR18 3QW
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires all public authorities to make information publicly available by means of a publication scheme.

Penwith District Council's publication scheme sets out details of the classes of information that will be published. There are six classes or categories which are:
• The Council and its Constitution
• Council finances
• Council policies
• Council decisions
• Council performance
• Council services
The publication scheme gives the title of each class, a definition with an explanation, and then a description of how the information can be seen, i.e. on the website or at an office. The description of each class will also contain a statement of explanation, should any documents be exempt from publication.
The publication scheme demonstrates our commitment to publish as much information as possible, and to have regard to the public interest and to the rights that the Freedom of Information Act will bring to everyone in due course in 2004.
The publication scheme does not limit an individual's other rights to information, nor does it omit the amount of information that the Council published outside the scheme. For example, planning applications will continue to be available for public inspection.
Personal and private information held by the Council is not the subject of this publication scheme. An individual's right to confidentiality remains unchanged, and information that ispersonal and private will still be protected under the Data Protection Act. The individualretains a right to have access to their own personal information.
The Council has appointed Barbara Mathews from the Legal, Personnel and Estates Service, (tel. 01736 336581, fax 01736 336791, e-mail barbara.mathews@penwith.gov.uk) as the officer responsible for this scheme on behalf of the Council and also as responsible for maintaining the scheme on a day to day basis. She is also the Data Protection officer for the Council and any issues about personal data will also be dealt with by her. The Council has a set complaints procedure and any complaints about Data Protection or the Freedom of Information Act may be dealt with by contacting Barbara Mathew s or the Council's Monitoring Officer, David Hooper.
An individual may also complain to the Freedom of Information Commissioner, whether about Freedom of Information or Data Protection, at the following address:
Information Commissioner, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AFFax: 01625 524510 CX: 20819 Wilmslow Tel: 01625 545745
E-mail: data@dataprotection.gov.uk
As this is a new requirement for councils, the publication scheme will be reviewed at the end of the first twelve months, but after that it is anticipated that the information in each class will be reviewed and submitted to the Information Commissioner every three years.
The publication scheme will be made available on our website (www.penwith.gov.uk) and will be deposited at our offices at St. Clare, Penzance. Copies will also be distributed to County Libraries within the district, and also to town and parish councils, thus distributing it throughout the district. The publication scheme is printed in English, but if people have any difficulty with other languages and/or with access or require large print or otherwise require particular assistance, they should contact Barbara Mathews.
No charge will be made by the Council for examining the information within this publication scheme. A charge may be made at rates determined from time to time by the Council for any photocopies sought.
The information defined and classified by the publication scheme relates to the Council only and does not refer to any other executive agencies.
If you have any suggestions about this scheme, please contact Barbara Mathews in Legal, Personnel and Estates Services.
CLASS 1
(a) TITLE
Council Constitution
(b) DEFINITION
The Constitution of the Council pursuant to the Local Government Act 2000
(c) EXPLANATION
This is a document that includes all the rules, standing orders and workings ofthe Council including contract and financial procedures, committees andoffice structures.
(d) LOCATION
Penwith District Council Offices, St Clare, Penzance and on the website from2004
CLASS II
(a) TITLE
Council Finances
(b) DEFINITION
Council Tax Estimates and Capital Programme 2002/2003 and succeeding
financial years.
Annual Statement of Accounts 2000/2001 and succeeding financial years.
(c) EXPLANATION
The Council's income and expenditure service by service for the financialyear.
(d) LOCATION
Penwith District Council Offices, St, Clare, and on the website from 2004.
Class III
(a) TITLE
Council Policies
(b) DEFINITION
The policy framework of the Council as defined by the constitution.
(c) EXPLANATION
All Council strategies and policies approved by the Council from time to timestatutory or otherwise. For example and including:
• The District-wide Local Plan
• Local Agenda 21 Strategy
• Crime and Disorder Strategy
(d) LOCATION
Penwith District Council Offices, St. Clare, Penzance and on the website from2004
CLASS IV
(a) TITLE
Council Decisions
(b) DEFINITION
Committee and Council Agenda and Minutes.
EXCEPT: Items falling within schedule 12A Part 1 Local Government Act
1972 as from time to time amended.
(c) EXPLANATION
The reports and decisions of committees and the Council except "private"information as defined above and explained in the introduction.
(e) LOCATIONPenwith District Council Offices, St. Clare, Penzance and website from 2004
CLASS IV (a) TITLE
Council Performance
DEFINITION
Best Value Local Performance Plan 2002 and succeeding years.Comprehensive performance assessment
(c) EXPLANATION
An annual document detailing the council's performance in selected serviceareas including comparative figures.
(d) LOCATION
Penwith District Council Offices, St. Clare, Penzance and on the website from 2004
CLASS VI
(a) TITLE
Council Services
(b) DEFINITION
An alphabetical A - Z index of Council Services
(c) EXPLANATION
A list of contacts for each service.
(d) LOCATION
Penwith District Council Offices, St Clare, Penzance and on the website from 2004