Publication scheme

Information available to the public as part of the council's normal business activities.

We have adopted the model publication scheme prepared and approved by the Information Commissioner. It has been adopted without modification and is valid until further notice.

This publication scheme commits us 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.

What we are committed to

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 council 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 council 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.
  • to publish any dataset held by the council that has been requested, and any updated version it holds, unless the council is satisfied that it is not appropriate to do so; to publish the dataset, where reasonably practicable, in an electronic form that is capable of re-use; and, if any information in the dataset is a relevant copyright work and the public authority is the only owner, to make the information available for re-use under a specified licence. The term ‘dataset’ is defined in section 11(5) of the Freedom of Information Act. The terms ‘relevant copyright work’ and ’specified licence’ are defined in section 19(8) of that Act.

Classes of information

Who we are and what we do

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

What we spend and how we spend it

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

What our priorities are and how we are doing

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

How we make decisions

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

Our policies and procedures

Current written protocols for delivering our functions and responsibilities.

Lists and registers

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

This includes Oxfordshire History Centre’s information asset register, produced under its statement of public task.

The services we offer

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

Information not included in these classes

The classes of information will not generally include the following.

  • 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.

How information 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 the website www.oxfordshire.gov.uk. Where it is impracticable to make information available on the website or when an individual does not wish to access the information by the website, the council will indicate 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 the council 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 for information

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 council 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.

Charges may also be made for making datasets (or parts of datasets) that are relevant copyright works available for re-use. These charges will be in accordance with either regulations made under section 11B of the Freedom of Information Act or other enactments.

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 the 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. Alternatively, if the information you are seeking is environmental, this can be requested verbally or in writing under the Environmental Information Regulations. Make a request for information.