Where it is in the public interest individuals have a right to know public information held by local Councils.  The Council holds public information on behalf of the community it serves to make a better more positive future for the people of Castle Morpeth Borough.

The Act sets out rules for making information available. These include:

•  Councils must state the classes of information they hold in a Publication Scheme, pre-approved by the Information Commissioner. It must also specify the manner in which information of each class is held.
• Circumstances when Councils do not have to give information (exemptions) - There are statutory exemptions with regard to certain information not being made available. 
• A power for the Lord Chancellor to write a Code of Practice setting out how Councils should deal with individual requests for information (issued).
•  A power for the Lord Chancellor to write a Code of Practice setting out how Councils should manage their records – Record Management (issued).

Requesting Information

§         The Council will provide reasonable advice and assistance to help anyone in putting their request together.

§         If the requested information is not included in the Publication Scheme an applicant can make a written request (this includes e-mail to FOI@castlemorpeth.gov.uk).

§         The applicant must give their name and address for correspondence so that the Council can contact them, or they can fill out a Freedom of Information Request Form for information which is available free from FirstCall, at Bridget Street, Morpeth.

§         An applicant will be informed whether the Council has the information or not in writing (unless an exemption applies, that says the Council does not have to).

§         If the cost of providing the information exceeds a limit (set by the Government), the Council does not have to supply the information, unless the applicant makes a payment of the relevant fee. 

§         If the Council has the information and it is available, the information will normally be given within 20 working days. This will normally be the information held at the time the Council received the request, but there are circumstances in which the Council can alter it.

§         An applicant will be able to inspect the information, have a copy, or a summary, as they prefer, provided that this is reasonably possible.

§         Normally the Council will do this within the 20 working days allowed. The period of 20 working days can be extended if the Council needs more detail to help find the requested information.  If the Council receives enough detail to find the information it will be given within 20 working days of receiving the further detail.

For some information the Council will need to consider whether supplying it is in the public interest. If this is the case the Council will give an estimate of the time it may take to make a decision about giving the information or applying an exemption.

§         If a fee has to be paid for the information, the period allowed is extended by the time taken in paying that fee.

§         If there is a fee and it is not paid within 3 months the Council does not have to give the information. The Council will not usually give the information after the 3 months have expired.