Freedom of Information: What do We Know?

Kieran Lamb

Head of Library Services

Fade Library

Access to Information

2 Key Pieces of Legislation

• Freedom of Information Act 2000 (20 Working Days to Answer Request)

About any information we hold, the processes we use, the decisions we make and anything else the requestor cares to ask us about.

• Data Protection Act 1998 (40 Calendar Days to Answer Request)

About letting the individual ask about what information we hold on them.

SHA taking controlling and caring for the personal information it holds.

SHA being careful about exporting data.

Eeek! It’s a Monster

How do I recognise an FoI Request?

• It must be in writing• It must have contact details you can reply to

This means

E-mail aliases LetterEmailsFaxPost It Notes etc.

Are all legitimate ways to request

Freedom of Information

Rights The Right to be told whether information is held by a public authority The Right to see information which is held

Legal Duties The duty to assist the applicant The duty to confirm or deny

It’s all about accountability

What does that mean Shaggy?

1. All information is potentially public2. Must think about the creation and

management of information • Personal• Corporate

3. Prepare for proactive disclosure (Put it on the website!)• Reduce Burden• Re-consider process

Still not got a scoob?

Reconsider processes – Corporate Information

• How does information flow?• Do we need the information we have? Why?• What can we just share with the world at large without thinking

about it?• How long should we keep information?

What do I do if I get a FoI request?

• Don’t panic!

• Do you have the information?

• Are there issues?

• Do you know who holds the information?

• Contact Kieran on 0151 285 4495

DPA

DPA confers rights• in relation to our ‘personal data’

• the right to know what has been recorded about us

• the right to go to Court over in accurate data

• the right to Compensation

About Accountability and Responsibility

The Velma Dinkley Moment!

DPA means we need to think• How does information flow?• What do we hold that is personal information?• Do we really need that information?• How do we carry information around?• What would happen if we lost the information in a public place?

What do I do if I get a DPA request?

• Don’t panic! • Do you have the information?• Are there issues?• Do you know who holds the information?• Is the requestor who they say they are?• Have they paid any required access fee?• Contact Kieran on 0151 285 4495

The dreaded ? Slide

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