CLEVELAND FIRE AUTHORITY
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000
POLICY AND CODE OF PRACTICE
Mission Statement
Cleveland Fire Authority will endeavour to apply the spirit of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI) in all aspects of its operations and will endeavour to ensure that all employees are made aware of their responsibilities under the Act.
Overview of What the Act Covers
The Authority has a duty to provide a publication scheme. The publication scheme has been endorsed by the Information Commissioner and is available to view click here.
The public has a right of access to any recorded information however it is held. There are a number of exemptions from the obligation to provide information; for example where the information has been provided in confidence or it would prejudice proceedings were it to be disclosed. In some cases, even where an exemption applies, the Authority must still disclose if the public interest in disclosure is stronger than the interest in withholding access to the information.
Aims of the Code of Practice
- Cleveland Fire Authority will facilitate the disclosure of information under the Act by setting out good administrative practice for personnel to follow when handling requests for information, including, where appropriate, the transfer of a request to a different Authority.
- Cleveland Fire Authority will communicate in the first instance to the applicant whether or not the Authority holds the information requested (the duty to confirm or deny)
- Cleveland Fire Authority will protect the interest of the applicants by setting out standards for the provision of advice which it would be good practice to make available to them and to encourage the development of effective means of complaining about decisions taken under the Act.
- Cleveland Fire Authority will ensure that the interest of third parties who may be affected by any decision to disclose information are considered by setting standards for consultation.
- Cleveland Fire Authority will consider the implications for Freedom of Information (FOI) before agreeing to confidentiality from a third party more generally.
All requests for information will in the first instance be directed to the Authority's Freedom of Information Officer at Brigade Headquarters who will ensure that the request is forwarded to the appropriate Department and that time scales are adhered to (20 days).
