Overview

Individuals already have the right of access to information about themselves under the Data Protection Act 1998. As far as public authorities are concerned, the Freedom of Information Act will extend this right to allow public access to all types of information held.

The Freedom of Information Act gives a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities, sets out exemptions from that right and places a number of obligations on public authorities.

A 'public authority' is defined in the Act, and includes but is not restricted to central and local government, non-departmental public bodies, the police, the health service and schools, colleges and universities. Any person who makes a request to a public authority for information must be informed whether the public authority holds that information and, subject to exemptions, supplied with that information.

Every public authority will be required to adopt and maintain a publication scheme setting out the classes of information it holds, the manner in which it intends to publish the information, and whether a charge will be made for the information.

The purpose of a scheme is to ensure a significant amount of information is available, without the need for a specific request. Schemes are intended to encourage organisations to publish more information pro-actively and to develop a greater culture of openness.

*Please be aware our FOI requests are currently unavaible due to a system improvement.*

In support of this objective we now publish a list of the Freedom of Information requests received along with the answers given. This is to provide information up front and save on reply duplication. If you are considering making an Freedom of Information request (known as an FOI request) please review the list review the list of requests we have already received.

*Please be aware our FOI requests are currently unavaible due to a system improvement.*

How to make a Freedom of Information Request

If you have reviewed the above list and your question is unanswered then email your request to foi@swale.gov.uk.

More Information

These external websites provide further information:

• Information Commissioner
• Explanatory Notes to Freedom of Information Act 2000

View the Freedom of Information Act 2000 - Publication Scheme

Our 'Freedom of Information Act 2000 - Publication Scheme' document is available to view below.