Freedom of Information
Introduction
What is the Freedom of Information (Scotland)
Act 2002?
The
Act requires all public authorities, including Councils, to be open
with information. The Act gives a general right of access
to all types of recorded information held by the Council.
It sets out exemptions from that right and places various
obligations upon the Council.
From
January 2005 any person who makes a request to the Council for
information must be informed whether the Council holds that information
and, subject to exemptions, supplied with that information.
Publication
Scheme
What
is a Publication Scheme?
The Act requires Scottish public authorities to adopt and maintain a Publication
Scheme
in which they list the types of information which they make available
as a matter of course to the public. The publication scheme should
be available on the authority's website, or provided on request.
The purpose of this Publication Scheme
is to ensure that a significant amount of information is available
without the need for a specific request. The Council
has been mindful of the value of openness and transparency, and
therefore the Publication Scheme sets out the categories of information
that the Council publishes or intends to publish; how the information
in each category is, or is intended to be published and any charge
that may apply.
More
information about the Act can be found on the Scottish
Information Commissioner's website.
You
can click on any of the following links to view a full copy of the
Council's Publication Scheme and the terms and conditions:
Accessing
Information under the Publication Scheme
The
web site is intended to operate as a convenient user-friendly resource
to enable you to find the information you are looking for easily.
The authority has computers, linked to the Internet, with printing
facilities, in the Shetland Library. The Library is accessible
for people with disabilities.
The Shetland Library can be located at:
Shetland Library
Lower Hillhead
Lerwick
Shetland Isles
ZE1 0EL
Tel: 01595 743868 (Library)
Tel: 01595 743875 (Learning Centre)
E-Mail
If the information you request is not available on our website, but is
listed in our publication scheme, we will send it to you by email,
wherever practical.
By post
All information is also available in a paper copy form.
In person
For some information you can make an appointment to view the
information.
By Phone
Information can also be requested over the telephone. Please provide
full contact details, including a telephone number, so that we can
telephone to clarify any details, if necessary.
Feedback
The Shetland Islands Council is committed
to open government and freedom of information. The
Publication Scheme lets you know what information is routinely
made available by the Council. We want the Publication
Scheme to make the Council more accountable to you, increasing
your involvement in the democratic process. Your views
on the Scheme will therefore bring improvements for the
future, and the Council welcomes comments and suggestions on how it can improve
the scheme, as it is important that the Scheme meets your
needs.
Please send your comments to:
Jan-Robert Riise
Head of Legal and Administration
Shetland Islands Council
4 Market Street
Lerwick
Shetland
ZE1 0JN
Tel: 01595 744551
Fax: 01595 744585
Email administrative.services@shetland.gov.uk
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