Freedom of Information

General

Index
FAQs - for the public
FAQs - for staff

Finding information about ...

Requesting information

Related information

Frequently asked questions - for staff

If you have any questions relating to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 or handling freedom of information requests please contact Lizzie Richmond, the Freedom of Information Co-ordinator (extn. 3464).

How do people access information?

There are two ways people can access information held by the University using the Freedom of Information Act. The first is via the Publication Scheme which lists the types of information the University makes available to the public as a matter of routine e.g. prospectuses, the Library and Learning Centre catalogue and the minutes of some committees. The second is by making a request.

Is there any information which the University does not have to make available?

The Freedom of Information Act outlines some types of information which are exempt from disclosure. Generally the University is not required to disclose:

Information about living individuals the processing of which is covered by the Data Protection Act 1998.
Information that might jeopardize the health and safety of staff, students or the public.
Information that might prejudice the University's commercial interests.
Information that would prejudice the prevention or detection of crime or the prosecution of offenders.
Information concerning legal proceedings or investigations being carried out by the University that might lead to criminal or civil proceedings.
Information held under obligation of confidentiality.
Information that is published elsewhere or that is intended for publication at a later date (e.g. draft versions of documents, information subject to amendment or approval by the appropriate University body).

The application of the exemptions set out in the Act is complex, so you should not attempt to use them yourself. If you receive any request for information that you cannot deal with straightforwardly, contact the Freedom of Information Co-ordinator immediately.

What is the difference between data protection and freedom of information?

The Data Protection Act 1998 regulates the way that the University collects, processes and discloses information about living individuals. All enquiries relating to personal information should be directed to the University Data Protection Officer. Access to all other types of information created and held within the University is governed by the Freedom of Information Act 2000. All enquiries regarding access to information, other than personal information, should be directed to the Freedom of Information Co-ordinator.

Does the Act have implications for servicing meetings of University committees?

Most of the University's statutory bodies and principal committees are included in the University Publication Scheme. This generally means that details of membership, terms of reference, and minutes of meetings are published on the University website as a matter of routine. Business items not suitable for routine publication are identified as such in the agenda. Most committees at faculty and departmental level are not included in the Publication Scheme. However, if the University received a request for information contained in the minutes of a committee not included in the Publication Scheme, the information would have to be disclosed, subject to the exemptions outlined in the Act. If you are responsible for servicing meetings of a formal University committee it is useful to remember that it may be necessary to make the information public at some point in the future. For more advice contact Colette Milner, Head of Secretariat, Office of the University Secretary (extn. 3075).

How does the Act affect what I publish on the University web pages?

The purpose of the Act is to promote greater openness and accountability across the public sector. The University makes a huge amount of information available to the public via its website during the course of its normal business, but there may be some occasions when it is not appropriate to publish information to a world-wide audience. If you have any queries about the types of information you publish on University web pages please contact the Freedom of Information Co-ordinator.

University | Freedom of Information