Publication Scheme

This publication scheme has been prepared and approved by the Information Commissioner. It has been adopted by Swale Borough Council and will be valid until further notice.

This publication scheme commits the Council to make information available to the public as part of its normal business activities. The information covered is included in the classes of information mentioned below, where this information is held by the authority. Additional assistance is provided to the definition of these classes in sector specific guidance manuals issued by the Information Commissioner.

The scheme commits the council:

• To proactively publish or otherwise make available as a matter of routine, information, including environmental information, which is held by the
  authority and falls within the classifications below
• To specify the information which is held by the Council and falls within the
  classifications below
• To proactively publish or otherwise make available as a matter of routine, information in line with the statements contained within this scheme
• To produce and publish the methods by which the specific information is made routinely available so that it can be easily identified and accessed
  by members of the public
• To review and update on a regular basis the information the authority makes available under this scheme
• To produce a schedule of any fees charged for access to information which is made proactively available
• To make this publication scheme available to the public

Who we are and what we do

Organisational information, locations and contacts, constitutional and legal governance.

• Constitution
• Management Structure Chart
• Councillors
• Opening Times and contact information
• Our Offices

What we spend and how we spend it

Financial information relating to projected and actual income and expenditure, tendering, procurement and contracts.

• Performance and Transparency homepage
• Transparency
• Statement of Accounts
• Councillor and Elected Members Allowances
• Contracts Register

What our priorities are and how we are doing.

Strategy and performance information, plans, assessments, inspections and reviews.

• Peer Review
• Performance Report
• Local Plan Review

How we make decisions

Policy proposals and decisions. Decision making processes, internal criteria and procedures, consultations.

• Decisions
• Forthcoming Decisions
• Meetings
• Forward Plans

Our policies and procedures

Current written protocols for delivering our functions and responsibilities.

• Strategies and Policies

Lists and Registers

Information held in registers required by law and other lists and registers relating to the functions of the authority.

• Lists and Registers
• Housing Register
• Brownfield Land Register

The services we offer

Advice and guidance, booklets and leaflets, transactions and media releases. A description of the services offered.

• Open Spaces, Leisure and Tourism
• News and Your Council
• News and Campaigns
• Publications
• Our Services
• Fees and Charges

Classes of Information will not generally include:

• Information the disclosure of which is prevented by law, or exempt under the Freedom of Information Act, or is otherwise properly considered to be protected from disclosure
• Information in draft form
• Information that is no longer readily available as it is contained in files that have been placed in archive storage or is difficult to access for similar reasons

The method by which information published under this scheme will be made available

The council will indicate clearly to the public what information is covered by this scheme and how it can be obtained. Where it is within the capability of the council, information will be provided on its website. Where it is impracticable to make information available on a website or when an individual does not wish to access the information by the website, the council will give details of how information can be obtained by other means and provide it by those means.

In exceptional circumstances some information may be available only by viewing in person. Where this manner is specified, contact details will be provided. An appointment to view the information will be arranged within a reasonable timescale.

Information will be provided in the language in which it is held or in such other language that is legally required. Where an authority is legally required to translate any information, it will do so.

Obligations under disability and discrimination legislation and any other legislation to provide information in other forms and formats will be adhered to when providing information in accordance with this scheme.

Charges which may be made for information published under this scheme. The purpose of this scheme is to make the maximum amount of information readily available at minimum inconvenience and cost to the public. Charges made by the authority for routinely published material will be justified and transparent and kept to a minimum.

Material which is published and accessed on a website will be provided free of charge.

Charges may be made for information subject to a charging regime specified by Parliament. Charges may be made for actual disbursements incurred such as:

• photocopying
• postage and packaging
• the costs directly incurred as a result of viewing information

Charges may also be made for information provided under this scheme where they are legally authorised, they are in all the circumstances, including the general principles of the right of access to information held by public authorities, justified and are in accordance with a published schedule or schedules of fees which is readily available to the public.

If a charge is to be made, confirmation of the payment due will be given before the information is provided. Payment may be requested prior to provision of the information.

Written requests

Information held by Swale Borough Council that is not published under this scheme can be requested in writing, when its provision will be considered in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.