Freedom of Information
Your rights under the Freedom of Information Act
We are committed to openness and transparency in our work and aim to publish as much information as possible about how we work and the decisions we make.
Under the Freedom of Information Act, anyone has the right to ask for information we hold. We must:
- tell you if we hold the information you want
- give you the information unless there are valid reasons for withholding it (we may charge you a fee for supplying the information).
You can find out more about your rights under the Act by looking at the website for the Information Commissioner’s Office.
The OFFA publication scheme
The Freedom of Information Act also requires us to have what is called a ‘publication scheme’, setting out what information we make readily available and how you can obtain this information.
We have adopted the new model publication scheme introduced by the Information Commissioner’s Office on 1 January 2009. The information in our publication scheme falls into the following six classes of information:
- who we are and what we do – our role and responsibilities, the legislation that established us, senior staff biographies, contact details etc
- what we spend and how we spend it – our income and expenditure, procurement policy, contracts awarded, financial audits etc
- what our priorities are and how we are doing – our strategic plans, annual reports, performance reviews, service standards etc
- how we make decisions – our decision making processes and the records of our decisions
- our policies and procedures – current written policies and procedures, for example procedures for staff selection and recruitment
- lists and registers – information held in currently maintained lists and registers, for example our register of interests.
Please note that the ICO’s model scheme has an additional class of information – ‘The services we offer’. In our publication scheme, information in this class is already covered under the other areas.
Download the OFFA publication scheme [pdf 98KB]
How to make an FOI request
First, check to see if you can find the information on our website or under our publication scheme (see above). If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please email your request to enquiries@offa.org.uk or write to:
Chris Scrase
Programme Manager
OFFA
Northavon House
Coldharbour Lane
BRISTOL
BS16 1QD
If you have difficulty identifying exactly what information you require, or are unable to make a request in writing, please contact us on 0117 931 7171.
Your request should:
- provide as much detail as possible about the information or documents you want to access
- include your name and address
- specify the format in which you would like us to supply the information, for example as hard copy, via e-mail etc.
We will respond to your request within 20 working days.
How to appeal against the way we have handled an FOI request
If you’re unhappy with the way we have dealt with a freedom of information request, you can ask us to review our decision. Please email enquiries@offa.org.uk or write to:
David Barrett
Assistant Director
OFFA
Northavon House
Coldharbour Lane
BRISTOL
BS16 1QD
We aim to deal with simple complaints within two to three weeks and more complex complaints within six weeks. If you’re still unhappy with our response, you have the right to complain to:
The Information Commissioner
FOI Complaints Resolution
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Tel: 01625 545700
Fax: 01625 524510