Introduction

Freedom of Information Act 2000

Introduction

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 gives the public a general right of access to information held by public authorities. South Yorkshire Safety Camera Partnership is constituted of public bodies and therefore is subject to the Act.

The Act also recognises that there are valid reasons for withholding information by setting out a number of exemptions from the right to know. For further information regarding exemptions, please see ‘The exemptions’ in the guidance page on the Information Commissioner’s website:

http://www.ico.gov.uk/what_we_cover/freedom_of_information/guidance.aspx

What is covered?

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 covers recorded information in any form. It covers information rather than data or documents and is fully retrospective.

Our Responsibilities

The Act confers two responsibilities:

the duty to confirm of deny whether the information exists
the duty to communicate the information

However, the public authority does not have to confirm or deny the existence of the information or provide it if an exemption applies, the request is vexatious or similar to a previous request, or if the cost of compliance exceeds an appropriate limit.

Please see the Information Commissioner’s Office website for further details about the Freedom of Information Act 2000 ‘The basics’:

http://www.ico.gov.uk/what_we_cover/freedom_of_information.aspx

Reviews

If you are unhappy with the way your request for information has been handled, you can request a review by following the advice contained in the internal review document:

Internal Review

http://www.safetycamera.org/Content/filemanager/upload/file/Freedom%20of%20Information%20Review%20Process%20for%20SYSCP.pdf

If you remain dissatisfied with the handling of your request or complaint, you have a right to appeal to the Information Commissioner at:

The Information Commissioner's Office,

Wycliffe House,

Water Lane,

Wilmslow,

Cheshire, SK9 5AF.

Telephone: 08456 306060 or 01625 545745

Website: www.ico.gov.uk

There is no charge for making an appeal.

Complaints to the ICO